I had the chance to observe my 10-year-old niece Sophia and upon analysing this observation, I got to verify the theories that the pioneering psychologists had established. I shall be describing in this essay how Piaget’s cognitive development theory, Bandura’s social learning theory, Kohlberg’s moral development theory, Ainsworth’s attachment theory, and Bowlby’s parenting styles can be illustrated in a child’s everyday behaviour.
I was observing Sophia as she was engaged in a conversation with her mother. The mother told her that on Sunday they will visit Sophia’s grandfather who was confined in the hospital. I noticed how Sophia’s facial expression suddenly showed a quizzical look. Her mother noticed it too and inquired about the look on her face. Sophia offered the explanation, “But Mom! Grandpa had died last year. He can’t be in the hospital anymore!” The mother realized that Sophia remembers such details already and so she returned a clarification. “You’re right. Grandpa John died last year. He is dad’s father. Now, Grandpa Jack, who is my father, is sick in the hospital.” With that explanation, Sophia breathed a sigh of relief. I took note of this incident as illustrating Piaget’s concrete-operational stage, which is the third in his cognitive development theory.
In another occasion, I saw how Bandura’s theory of reinforcement works in a girl like Sophia. I took the chance to be at the dining table with her and the rest of her family. The younger brother was the first to finish his dinner and wanted to excuse himself. He slowly slipped out from the table bringing his soiled plate to the kitchen sink. That gesture merited him a word of praise from his father. Some thirty minutes after, Sophia finished her meal. Knowing that she is very affectionate to her father, I somehow predicted what she would do. True enough, she carefully gathered her soiled plate and utensils, quietly slipped out of the table while flashing a smile to her father. And of course, she enjoyed the words of affirmation that her father gave her. I found out later on that this incident had indeed reinforced that particular good deed because the children had made it a habit to clean up in the succeeding meals.
Thinking about that same dining table incident, I believe that Sophia is in the second stage – the conventional morality – of Kohlberg’s moral development theory. Sophia is in the stage where she wants to get the approval of her father. Although she was not obliged to clear up her table nor was it strictly a moral issue, I knew Sophia chose to do so precisely because she realized that that would make her the “good girl” that her father wants her to be.
In another instance where I got to spend time with Sophia, I saw how Ainsworth’s illustration of a securely attached child was demonstrated in Sophia’s actuation. Her father’s friend arrived in the house for a visit but came in a little too early. Since the father was not home yet, the friend decided to wait and tried to carry a conversation with Sophia for the meantime. I noticed how surprisingly aloof Sophia was. She seemed to avoid any chance to talk more and instead gave one-line answers to the “stranger” friend. But as soon as her father arrived, Sophia went back to her usual jolly self. That incident shows Sophia’s type of attachment to her father whose presence makes her feel secured.
My overall reflection of the observation I made of Sophia made me realize the truth in John Bowlby’s claim that positive parenting during the infant years has a powerful influence on the total growth of the child. I am happy that Sophia has a great set of parents!
