Sensitive parenting is the most important factor in a child’s psychological development – discuss
This essay will explore the concept of sensitive parenting and will look at how the dynamic interactions between parent and child inform Attachment Theory a model which measures child development. This model, pioneered by Bowlby is posited within the principles of a psychoanalytic and biological perspective (Bee, H.L., 2000). Child attachment can be classified into two main types, secure and insecure, by using a standard laboratory assessment known as the “Strange Situation” developed by Ainsworth, insecure attachment was divided further into sub groups, ambivalent and avoidant (Ding, S. & Littleton, K. 2005). Whilst discussing attachment theory which utilises the concept of an internal working model other approaches in terms of understanding how parenting affects child development will be explored. Theoretical positions such as social learning theory which lies heavily on behaviourist principles will be looked at, parenting styles where patterns of parenting will be discussed and inter-generational transmission which serves to perpetuate society’s inequalities and disadvantages with negative connotations for a child’s psychological development (Ding, S. & Littleton, K. 2005). “Disturbed” and “Disturbing Behaviour” will also be explored. The medical model and social model perspectives challenge the understanding in terms of attributing cause of problem behaviour to either the child or environment, discussion will take place around ecological adaptiveness (Brofenbrenner, 1979; Brofenbrenner and Morris, 1998) and how problems are defined through relationships between children, their social context and the beliefs and judgements of the assessing adults (Ding, S. & Littleton, K. 2005). The essay will conclude with a view of just how important sensitive