Development Theories and Development
“Bandura’s social learning theory explains that people learned new behavior through observing and imitating others in a process called modeling” (Newman & Newman, 2007, p. 16). The same is true for children and Bandura attributes this behavior to mental states and the external environment (Newman & Newman, 2007). The external environment enables children to mimic certain behaviors through fictional, live, and verbal models. Live models include an actual character acting out a certain behavior. Fictional are real or imaginary characters on Televisions, films, and online media. The last model is verbal, which involves portrayal and behavior explanations. Mental states act as intrinsic emphasizers that include satisfaction, pride, and accomplishment senses. Therefore, if a child sees a cartoon hitting other characters, then there would be a negative influence on early development. According to Banduras social learning theory there are four conditions in the child mimicking the behavior. “The conditions are attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation” (Newman & Newman, 2007, p. 18). Hence, the child will grow knowing that it is right to hit other people.
Parents staying at home and taking care of their child is the best method of child care. According to the attachment theory by John Bowlby, toddlers became attached to caregivers who socially responded to them when they are between the ages of 6 months and 2 years (Fonagy, 2007). At this age also the child: is developing social interaction skills according to Vygotsky’s theory; is at the sensor motor stage according to Piaget where cognitive development is dependent on the environment and care giver present; and learning socially through Bandura’s social learning theory through observation, mimicking, and imitation. Therefore, it is important for parents to be the primary care givers for infants (age 6 months and 2 years) so that they can direct the development of the child according to their wish. Other care givers have a risk of inhibiting the correct child development or even negatively influencing their behaviors.
References
Fonagy, P. (2001). Attachment Theory and Psychoanalysis. New York: Other Press. Pp. 4+
Newman, B.M., & Newman, P.R. (2007). Theories of Human Development. New York: Routledge. Pp. 15-159
