REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
FOREIGN
Suzanne Rose
Created on: September 04, 201
Behavior changes can occur for a variety of reasons. It is important to be aware of the factors at play, because sometimes these can signal a significant underlying event that needs to be addressed. Consider the following issues.
Underlying physical issues
Sometimes behavior change is precipitated by some sort of physical change. Sometimes it is a sign of a disease, and it is important to recognize these so that you might be able to treat them. Brain tumors, while rare, can influence behaviors and sometimes cause major personality differences. In addition, a disease such as Alzheimer's Disease can change the behavior of a person.
Mental disorder
Many mental disorders cause minor and significant changes in behavior. When someone is depressed, for instance, they may almost seem like a shadow of their former self, always focusing on the bad, not being motivated, wanting to sleep a lot and displaying other symptoms. Someone with schizophrenia might also act very differently. There are many mental disorders, and they affect behavior in different ways.
Alcohol/Medications/drugs
People can also display a significant behavior change due to legal and illegal prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Some people seem to behave in a completely different way when they develop an alcohol or drug problem. Someone who is very kind, logical and reasonable might behave in a way that is horrible under these influences. Even medications suggested or prescribed by a doctor can influence someone, so it is important to consider these as culprits.
Experiences
A lot of people behave in certain ways because of their experiences. If a tragedy happens, for instance, then they may be shaped by that. If some very good things happen to them, then they might also change their ways. Also seeing the consequences that happen because of another person's behavior might also influence them to avoid it happening to them or to promote it happening to them depending on whether it is good or bad.
The people with whom they associate
Sometimes people change their behavior depending on whom they are with. They might want to behave in a certain way to fit in with their friends and then start taking those behaviors as habits of their own. They may learn by watching others and decide that they want to do those behaviors as well.
By Kay Bosworth, eHow Contributor 2010
Children's performance in the nation's schools is influenced by such factors as family, community and culture. Stable family structure often suffers because of divorce, single-parent families, two-career families and financial pressures. The negative results of these factors on families are often manifested in students' behavior problems in school.
Parental Influence
A child's parents are his first teachers. Numerous studies have demonstrated that parents' expectations have a definite influence on a child's attitude toward education and learning. Children who do well in school are likely to have been helped and encouraged by their parents. On the other hand, too much encouragement may be interpreted by the child as pressure, leading to stress and anxiety and ultimately to underachievement, rebellion and even failure.
Not all parents have the time or the means to spend on supervising homework or otherwise helping the child, but even these parents can raise successful students if they communicate their feelings that education is important.
Financial Status
Children from well-to-do families may have certain educational advantages over those from less affluent backgrounds, even though not all wealthy children are successful in school. Nearly 20 percent of children in the U.S. live in poverty. Statistics indicate that children from families at or below the poverty level are more likely than their wealthier classmates to repeat a grade or, once in high school, to be suspended, expelled or drop out.
Divorce
Children of divorced parents are likely to fall behind their classmates in schoolwork. Sandra A. Waddock states that, "Learning is difficult when children are distracted by more fundamental issues..." Preoccupied with problems at home, children may have difficulty paying attention in class. They often become aggressive and may have trouble making friends. Boys are apt to get into fights while girls may bully other girls or act out by engaging in promiscuous sex.
Violence
Children who grow up in an abusive environment at home may be "ticking time bombs," reports the National School Safety and Security Services. Witnessing violence between parents can teach a child to be fearful and withdrawn or to carry on the pattern of violence himself. Victims of physical or verbal abuse in the home can react with abusive and violent behavior in school. Children who have been sexually abused may resort to premature and promiscuous sexual behavior. Mistreated children are apt to be disruptive and defiant, becoming confrontational with their teachers and other adults while bullying and fighting with their classmates.
Substance Abuse
Drug use among teens and adolescents has increased, and the role of the family in contributing either risk or preventative factors is key, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. A home where a child feels loved and protected is less likely to produce a risk-taking child. Homes where young people have access to drugs, alcohol and guns offer an increased risk of substance abuse as well as suicide. Children who see their parents or caregivers abusing alcohol or drugs are more likely to follow the same path of early use and dependence. At school, they are likely to seek friends among those engaging in the same behavior.
Better Teaching June 2011 Volume 24
It is difficult to generalize about student misbehavior. But this is often true: The chance that student behavior will worsen goes up when the student believes it is a “me vs. the teacher” situation. The chance that behavior will improve goes up when the student believes that the teacher cares and wants to help.