Analysis of Child Psychology - Essay Example

By obeying authority figures without questioning, children get used to obedience thus they are moulded into becoming better citizens. Since children do not know much, they learn a lot by obeying authority figures. Question 4: Negative consequences of direct obedience will result if the authority figure has negative intentions or is ignorant of what is good for children.

Children may grow into adopting undesirability characteristics taught by such authority figures. This will arise because they (children) do not know what is good or bad. Question 5 & 6: I believe that children should always learn to obey authority figures. There is no better way. However, care has to be taken on the part of the authority figures to understand why a child is resisting instructions. It is upon the authority to ensure that this method works for children. One way that this can be done is by supplementing the instructions a child is given with an explanation.

For instance, if a child refuses to take medicine, an authority figure has to explain, in the best manner that the child will understand, why he or she must take the medicine. As a child grows, he or she should be allowed to air his or her opinions which must then be genuinely and openly addressed and the best option taken either in favour of the authority figure or the child. Therefore, older children should be allowed to resist obedience but only in cases where they can justify such moves. In such a manner, they will grow up knowing that instructions are followed only if they are right.