Thank You , Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."– Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein

Jean Piaget

Sigmund Freud

Charles Darwin, of the 19^th century, greatly influenced the history and study of child psychology. In his publication On the Origin of Species in 1859 noted that there was evolution of the species. This inevitably led to speculation about the development of man and society. As a result, there have been many contributions to our knowledge about child development and personality based on his theory.

Erik Erikson

There have been many psychological approaches and theories about understanding human development. For example, Jean Piaget, Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson and others have utilized and incorporated   a developmental approach. They theorized that there are stages of development as well as critical periods as to when things happen or develop. And, if there is trauma during these critical periods, implications of unhealthiness or problems follow. We   owe a lot to these theorists who have based their beliefs on a certain theoretical framework in a detailed study of human behavior.

 More specifically, human behavior researchers such as Anna Freud, John Bowlby, Harry Harlow and others have studied and provided valuable information regarding the psychological development about our young during critical periods of development and consequences. They have spelled out what is necessary for the young infant in order for proper and healthy psychological and cognitive development.

Recently, a study with mice demonstrated that there is a small but critical window during early development. And   if there is neglect or deprivation, during this critical period, this results in an adverse effect and can permanently alter a type of brain cell linked to behavior. In other words, we are now learning about how early life experiences can affect the development of the brain. More importantly, we’re learning that there are significant or critical periods necessary for optimum brain development.

 Researchers, In Boston, studied the effects of isolating groups of newly weaned   mice. A collection  of mice were housed in groups of four or groups of eight, with the later given access to toys to  be replaced every 48 hours. The results were as follows: the mice raised in isolation exhibited impaired social interaction and memory skills compared to the other groups; the myelin producing cells called oligodendrocytes were markedly shorter and simpler with thinner myelin layers. Further, these changes only took place in isolation during the two-week period immediately after suggesting that there are critical periods in the development of cell structure. This information was found in the September 25, 2012 edition of the Wall Street Journal.

Although this research was done with mice, it is likely that similar findings could be found with human subjects. It is common that research with animals is done prior to performing similar tests with human subjects in our culture. This information highlights and points to the importance of the development of attachment in our young. Proper feeding with close proximity or touching, human interaction, use of toys such as mobiles etc.  by the mother or caretaker can assist and influence whether or not neuropsychiatric disorders, schizophrenia or delinquency get exhibited later in life.

Make sure to  utilize your critical periods, “keep moving.”