PS7313 Developmental Psychology: ADHD and Parental Attention Analysis

This assignment presents a poster analyzing the issue of hyperactivity and attention deficit in children, inspired by a BBC Panorama documentary. The poster examines the problem's background, considering societal trends and the impact of social media on family dynamics. It discusses the relevance ...Read More

Hi Everyone,
I am XYZ, and right now I am here to present a poster, that deals with the problem of Hyperactive kid
disorder and the role of parent attention deficiency in the same. In order to present this poster, I
closely observed this Panorama documentary video posted by BBC broadcaster. The essence of this
poster is inspired by the happenings and the testimonials presented in this video. As we are aware of
the fact that an audio-visual medium has its own share of strengths and weaknesses, this video is apt
to develop an understanding of the issue, however, it fails in explaining some detailed insights or the
technical knowledge associated with the issue.
Let’s start with the background of the problem. This video tells us a story that was prevailing in the
previous century. When we see the same problem in the context of the 21st century, we find that
things have become even more difficult to handle. The social trends prevailing in our society is
creating isolation for adults, the arrival of social media has changed many things. Where individuals
are reacting to a virtual world rather than the real world where they are living. Kids, unfortunately,
demand humans rather than virtual toys.
The soap analysis of Peter gives us an idea about the psychological condition of Peter. The present
behavior of the kid indicates that it can lead to the development of criminal tendencies in him.
Isolation and lack of attention can create a rift between the kid and society. We cannot undermine
the social needs of the kids. It is true that they live in an imaginative world, however, they need a
strong connection with the real world. There are certain parts of the day when they need undivided
attention from their parents. Apart from it they also need some interaction with a peer group.
Interaction with the peer group is necessary because it can motivate them to do some creative and
constructive activities.
The relevance of Peter’s case in21st century
The situation has become even more difficult in the 21st century when tools like the internet and
social media are creating isolation among the families. Apart from it, the culture of nuclear families
is another factor. We should understand that during the formative years, the kids learn about social
behavior with the help of their cognitive senses. They realize it that when they are doing something
anti-social then people around them or the peer group surrounding them is not reacting well. In
order to win a social acceptance of their peer group, they learn to control their behavior and change
a few things in their acts.
This ignorance is giving rise to a peculiar condition where the kids are doing certain negative acts in
order to draw the attention of their parents. This trail of consistent acts is giving rise to criminal
tendencies among them; the panorama video of BBC gives us a thought of the line, where some of
the experts say that clinical intervention for these kids can change their life completely. They

describe the social burden associated with the handling of the criminals. This social burden can be
mitigated with the help of the recommendations that I am making in this poster.
The methodology and the theories behind social cognitive behavior-based therapy
While writing these recommendations, I followed three principles very closely. The first principle was
related to the “nature v/s nurture.” The BBC panorama video gave me an idea that whenever we
consider the criminal tendencies present in a person, or in particular in a kid, we often think that it is
his nature. We completely ignore the nurture part of the equation.
The places where a kid can interact with others is necessary, it will also develop tolerance in them
and allow them to handle social interactions with a different outlook. The nurture of a kid is
dependent on its ambiance. During the formative years, the parents play the role of a guide in their
life however, they need to have a social circle around them where they can commit mistakes and
learn about the fact that what is right and what is wrong. Society is an important part of the
nurturing up of a kid, the creation of the right type of society is a challenge and every parent should
understand it.
The alienation from society and the absence of social tolerance can lead to anti-social behavior.
Sensible adults can fall for this trap, kids are always vulnerable to it. Hyperactivity a manifestation of
ADHD, we should explore ADHD beyond childhood. The debate of nurture v/s nature can also be
taken into an account. Many experts advocated that a wrong nature can be cured with the right
nurture. The opposite of this phenomenon is always applicable, sometimes wrong nurture can also
give rise to some fallacies in nature. The creation of certain places where kids can interact with a
peer group and share a playful interaction with them.
Critical evaluation of the methodology
The society in the ’80s or ’90s was closely knit, it was the time when adults were more social, the
culture of weekend gatherings was rampant. In order to facilitate there outings, they were also
arranging social meets for the kids as well. However, the arrival of the virtual world has changed it
completely. Let’s now assume a hypothetical condition, suppose that the case of a Peter is in front of
us and we need to solve it today. Then, in this case, we need special asylums to arrange a CBT for
him. CBT is not a treatment or intervention for them, development of cognitive behavior and
collection of experiences with the help of cognitive social interactions is a need of the kids.
When we talk about teenagers, we often say that we should make sure that they are becoming a
part of the right kind of groups. It is parental advise that they should make sure that their teenage
kids are not joining the company of a group where anti-social elements are present. It can act as a
trigger for the criminal tendencies among them and finally convert them into a criminal. The same
principle can be applied to the kids that are living in isolation and seeking the attention of their
parents. In order to attract this attention, they are doing a few things that can be considered
mischievous in nature. When we study criminal psychology we find that criminal behavior is an
outcome of the desire to earn certain fruits.
In the case of a kid suffering from ADHD, winning the attention of his parents is a fruit and
performing mischief is his tool for that. Consistent repetition of this behavior can give him a reason
to justify his wrongdoings. This consistent justification can give rise to a neural network, which will

start encouraging him to commit more mistakes because of his success. With the passage of time,
the magnitude of this mischievous behavior can award him an anti-social personality. This anti-social
personality along with his newfound intelligence as a teenager convert him into a criminal.
Ethical consideration
While going for this treatment I would make it sure that the kid will never get this feeling that they
are under some kind of scanner or treatment. We will also make sure that during the tenure of this
treatment we will secure his personal data from external parties or third parties where it can be
misused and bring a bad name to him. The clause of the “ patient’s privacy” will be followed.
Conclusion
The current video gave me an idea about a person who was a victim of wrong nurture; the parents
were not giving him enough attention. A generalization of the issue further gave me this idea that
the case is even worse with the 21st-century parents where they are not able to spend quality time
with their kids and worried about their education and bills related to the education. The solution
suggested in the panorama video of the BBC, gave me this idea that why we cannot plan an
intervention like this 21st century. In fact why it cannot be implemented as a cure. A social cognitive
environment can be created by replicating some of the recommendations given in the video and a
place for the therapy can be picked up from the existing options.
Please have a look at this poster and share your valuable insights on the issue.
Thanks & Regards
XYZ