ROOM by Emma Donoghue - socialization and affects on development - Essay Example

ROOM by Emma Donoghue--Socialization and affects on Development Module Module ID: The present paper aims to elaborate the impact and influence of the socialization process on the cognitive development of the young ones in the light of the novel “Room” created by the contemporary era Irish-Canadian writer Emma Donoghue (2010) on the one side, and by focusing on the movie Seven Up directed by Paul Almond (1964). The study will be conducted by seeking support from the cognitive development perspectives presented by Piaget and Vygotsky, as well as the personality and development theories by Freud and Maslow in order to examine the association between the theme supported by the author and director in their respective works, and the psychological perspectives argued by the psychologist-theorists as well. Both the above-mentioned novelist and film director have attempted to depict the stages of cognitive and physical growth through their respective works, which experience certain transformations during the course of time, and partially endorse the psychological perspectives articulated by different theorists. Somehow, the developments witnessed by the protagonist, portrayed by Donoghue mirror the Freud’s Oedipus Complex theory, which claims to be child’s maintaining physical and sentimental attraction to the parent of his/her opposite gender. The Paper: Recent studies endorse the very notion that psychodynamic and person-centered methodologies have obtained profound popularity during twentieth century onward with regards to personality development perspectives. One of the most important reasons behind applying these approaches includes the exploration of the factors playing vital role in the personality development and formation during the initial years of human life. Hence, the works created by the writers, poets, philosophers, painters and film directors etc are analyzed and investigated into by keeping in view the psychological approaches articulated by the theorists while determining the factors of cognitive and personality developmental processes. Famous early 20th century American psychologist has articulated his Hierarchy of Needs Theory (1943), where he has discussed the nature of the basic human needs and essentiality of the fulfillment of these needs for the adequate growth of the individuals. Five motivational factors, according to Maslow (1943:373-4), include physiological, safety, social, ego and self-actualization. Physiological needs are those, which come under the definition of basic necessities of life i.e. food, clothing, and shelter, all of which are the needs without which man is unable to survive even for long. The second motivational factor i.e. safety discusses the sense of protection man requires for his mental peace and physical well-being. Third of the factors according to Maslow’s perspective is man’s interaction with his social environment. If man is kept away from interacting to other members of society, he will not be able to understand the social norms, mores, taboos and values have been in vogue in his social establishment. Consequently, he cannot differentiate between right and wrong, and good and evil, because of his lack of understanding about the proper ways to lead a social life. Similarly the fourth and fifth factors i.e. ego and self-actualization, which allow the humans to demonstrate their skills and efficiencies in different manners for the benefit of others, against which society offers love, recognition and rewards in many forms. This sense of admiration and recognition not only helps the individuals to obtain comforts in life, but also paves the way to make accomplishments and get mental peace subsequently. The Need Hierarchy Theory could be applied on the about-described novel and film. First published in 2010, the novel under the title “Room” depicts the growth of a five years old boy Jack, the protagonist, during his remaining confined to a small room, where he does not have any acquaintance with the world that exists outside the four wall of the small room he lives in along with his mother. Since he has never entered into any interaction with any member of society other than his mother and her male friend Old Nick, his universe looks to be confined to the same socio-physical environment (Donoghue, 2010:13-15). Though the physiological needs of Jack are being fulfilled by her mother, who provides him with food, clothing and shelter, all other needs mentioned by Maslow in his perspective has been negated, which endorses the situation Jack experiences while getting free from the confinement of Old Nick, and his attempt to mobilize in society after coming out of the small room he resides in (Donoghue, 2010:186). Hence, jack was unable to perform well after his release from the room, which the boy of his age leading normal life could observe. While analyzing the character of Andrew, one of the children presented by Seven Up in the film, it becomes evident that the boy had been brought up under normal socialization process, i.e. under the supervision of his parents. Somehow, his father teaches him how to tell lies on some occasions. It is therefore, he made incorrect replies to some of the questions asked from him when he was seven years old. However, the natural love and affection attributed to parents sheltered him throughout till he reached at the age of 14. Since the boy had been properly supervised, he not only continued his studies, but also leant how to make his way in personal and social life. Hence, Andrew’s character endorses Maslow’s perspective that fulfillment of different human needs brings sense of accomplishment and joy to humans (1943:381). Distinguished Austria psychologist Sigmund Freud, in his psychosexual theory, has elaborated five stages, which include oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital (Cook, 2006). While applying Freud’s psychosexual approach to the female protagonist of the novel under considerations i.e. Ma, it becomes clear that Ma has brought up Jack with extreme love and care. Since Jack sleeps in the wardrobe at night, as Old Nick sleeps with Ma during the time he is in the room, his disliking for Old Nick endorses Freud’s perspective that child maintains sexual attraction for the parent of opposite gender, and takes his father/mother (or the partner of his/her parent) to be his rival. Since the child takes the breasts of the mother to be part of his body, and develops tastes for the same. It is particularly true at the age between 3 and 7 years, where the boys demonstrate deep fondness for mothers, and do not want to separate themselves from them, to which Freud regards to be Oedipus Complex. . Another phenomenon Jack has interaction with is the television set existing in the space of their room, which presents variety of programs. Somehow, since he has not viewed the outer world in reality, he takes all the TV programs mere fancy. Since his mother is the only source of love, affection and encouragement, he seeks all comforts and peace in her person. It simply mentions that Jack undergoes socialization process while interacting with his mother and the TV set only. Such type of socialization mirrors the complete state of isolation, which could not be viewed to be healthy and favorable one for the young ones altogether. Somehow, since socialization process could not be completed while keeping the young ones incarcerated in a small room, without allowing them to move in society, their personality can undergo serious damages. The same has been depicted by Russian psychologist Vygotsky while elaborating the child learning process in his “Zone of Proximal Development.” Vygotsky (1978) is of the view that learning process starts in children in the wake of their interaction with the social and physical environment. In other terms, children start learning about the things existing around him, which is supportive in the growth and development of their cognitive capabilities and mental abilities as well. Hence, the more frequent and wider is the level and magnitude of the interaction of the young ones with society, the broader will be their canvas in respect of understanding the norms, values, traditions and conventions prevailing in their social establishment. Since biological man enters the world with the mind like a clean slate, his interaction with society plays vital role in his learning process in order to make him a social person. Since Jack has led a life equivalent to the solitary confinement, he does not know how to act, react and behave under some particular circumstances. Old Nick pays frequent visits of the locked room during night hours; however, Jack is unable to comprehend with the nature of Nick’s relations with Ma. It is therefore, he attempts to inform the society regarding the confinement of his mother, which refutes and negates the notion that cognitive development does not take place in isolation. Somehow, Jack could demonstrate better performance provided he would have the experience of interaction identical to the normal people of society. References Maslow, Abraham. H. (1943). A Theory of Human Motivation. Psychological Review, July 1943. pp 370-396. Piaget, J (1952) The Origin of Intelligence in Children, International University Press, NY. Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in Society: the Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge, M.A.: Harvard University Press. Donoghue, Emma. (2010). Room. Read More