The Effects of Healthy Family Systems and Childhood Development Danielle Whitebread HSCO 502- Liberty University Family systems are important in children’s growth and development for many reasons. Murray Bowen, John Bowlby and Erik Erickson’s theories of family systems, attachment and trust describe how family systems are important to a child’s physical, emotional, spiritual and social development. The family systems theory was originally introduced by Dr. Murray Bowen. Dr. Bowen’s theory was used more in the clinical setting as a therapy involving the entire family system. Bowen’s theory explained that instead of one being seen as an individual, they were a part of a larger group; a family system.
Babies have social releaser which unlocks the innate tendency for adults to care for them; these are both physical and behavioural social releasers. Bowlby adopted the idea of a critical period from ethologists like Lorenz, and applied this to his explanation of how human infants form their attachments. Bowlby has several claims. The first being that we have evolved a biological need to attach to our main caregiver, this being the monotropy attachment. Forming this attachment has survival values, as staying close to the mother ensure food and protection.
Discuss the nature-nurture debate in relation to Demi Lovato Key principles Nature - is the inherited or innate characteristics, features or qualities of an individual. This side of the nature-nurture debate suggests that we are a certain way because of the genes we gain from our parents. Nurture - is how the surroundings on an individual affect them, e.g. their environmental influences and conditions. This side of the nature-nurture debate suggests that we are a certain way because of the way we were bought up and our life experiences.
Whilst early theories pertaining to maternal interaction and deprivation can be found in the works of Sigmund Freud, Rene Spitz and Harry Harlow, Attachment Psychologist John Bowlby is largely regarded as the pioneer in the field (Peterson, 2004). Bowlby believed attachment to be an innate adaptive method applied by the child in an attempt to meet primary survival needs (i.e. food, shelter, mental stimulation). In order to secure these primary needs, newborn infants will attempt to form secure attachments to primary caregivers. If secured the child will receive ample attention and have basic needs met.
Bowlby begun to explore this. Bowlby (as cited in Oates, 2005) was inspired by this previous ethological work and was interested in linking such findings with human development (Oates, 2005). Bowlby’s focus was children’s attachment during the critical period and the effect it has on later development. Bowlby was influenced by work of Winnicot. Winnicot’s (1953) work on mothers and infants demonstrated the important for mothers to be emotionally ready to be a ‘good enough mother’ by having tolerance of waiting out a child’s frustration and the confidence in providing satisfaction (Oates, 2005).
However, the mother is there each time the baby is fed. Subsequently, Classical conditioning is learning through association. Firstly the food is the un-conditioned stimulus which the baby feels pleasure from so this is the un-conditioned response. Then, the mother is the neutral stimulus however, for the baby so after time the mother becomes a conditioned stimulus as the baby associates the mother with food and this is the conditioned response. The baby associates the mother with food.
Bowlby argued that the attachment behaviours in both caregivers and babies evolved ensuring the survival of the baby until maturity and reproduce. Babies produce instincts like crying and smiling which encourages the caregiver to look after it. Parents especial mothers as per to Bowlby have instincts to protect their baby from harm and nurture them ensuring their survival until maturity. Those babies and mother who don’t possess these behaviours have been less successful. A second most important concept in Bowlby’s theory was the idea of monotrophy a single attachment to one person who is most important to the baby.
As these generations age, society changes as well as the family values. Adjustments are made to meet both individual and society needs. The three key processes in which children learn values and develop character should start with the forming of emotional attachments, teaching of pro-social behavior, and respect for authority; and abiding by the rules both within the family structure and society. The forming of emotional attachment should start at birth. First the infant bonds with its mother.
Give at least one SPECIFIC example from your life (actual events) for each component of your mother's style in action: Use the following as HEADINGS for your examples. (2 for Acceptance/Involvement + 2 for Autonomy Granting) * Acceptance/Involvement (Acceptance = love & affection): 1 example for each: = one for “Acceptance” the other for “Involvement” * Control (including follow-through with consequences): 1 example * Autonomy-granting (Gradually giving you more & more freedom over the years + making your own decisions/choices based on your maturity): 1 example for each II. FATHER 3. Identify his parenting style & write the text's definition, based on Control, Acceptance/involvement, and Autonomy-granting. 4.
Today, there has been a rise among instinctual parenting and attachment parenting. Which parenting style yields the greatest benefit to the child may be up to the interpreter of facts and what works best according to the caregiver or parent. Parenting Styles For as long as there has been life on earth, there have been many different ways to raise a child or children. Parenting styles can be determined by socioeconomic status, tradition, personal preference, or what the child responds to the best. Among the most recognized parenting styles are authoritative parenting, authoritarian parenting, and permissive parenting.