Factors Influencing Children's Self-Identity: A Psychological Study

This essay examines the various factors that influence the development of self-identity in children, focusing on social, emotional, and psychological aspects from birth to five years old. It explores prominent child development theories, including Piaget’s cognitive development theory and behavioral theories, to evaluate how children form their self-identity. The essay also discusses the impact of childhood settings and educators on children’s social, emotional, and psychological welfare, highlighting the importance of positive interactions and environments in fostering a healthy sense of self. The study concludes that understanding these influencing factors is crucial for parents and educators to support children's development effectively.

Running Head: Influencing Factors, Children And Self-Identity
INFLUENCING FACTORS, CHILDREN AND SELF-IDENTITY

Influencing Factors, Children And Self-Identity
Table of contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Socio-emotional and psychological aspects of child development (birth to 5 year old).................2
Social Aspect................................................................................................................................2
Emotional Aspect.........................................................................................................................3
Psychological Aspect...................................................................................................................3
Current theories to evaluate development of self-identity in children............................................4
Theory 1- Behaviour Child Developmental Theories..................................................................5
Theory 2- Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory....................................................................5
Effect of childhood settings and educators on children’s social, emotional and psychological
welfare.............................................................................................................................................7
Social Childhood Setting.............................................................................................................7
Emotional Childhood Setting.......................................................................................................7
Psychological Childhood Setting or Well Being.........................................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8

Influencing Factors, Children And Self-Identity
Introduction
Self identity is created among children in the early developmental stages of their life.
Children are exposed to a wide plethora of information that influences their perspective on
different events in their lives. They identify themselves with audiovisual and tactile senses that
help them to communicate with people around them. The present assignment aims to study the
parameters that can affect development of child in the context of emotions and psychology.
Prominent child development theories that are evaluated in this study involve Piaget’s theory,
Behavioural theories and socio-emotional theories.
Socio-emotional and psychological aspects of child development (birth to 5 year old)
Social Aspect
Social environment has high influence on a child within the society. Social interaction
mediated by parents from early childhood phases of their child ensures proper formulation of
social skills. Even at the age of birth, child starts to recognize individual by using this social
skills (Reyna et al. 2015). The traits of trust, confidence, believe and happiness can be
maintained and developed among infants with the help of social interaction. It is the duty of a
parent to help their child in developing self-esteem. This can be done through motivation and
love to overcome negative events. The first five years exhibit fast growth in a child and tests its
ability to adapt to new environments, such as schools.
Hence, parents must socially interact with them to develop their own understanding.
According to Carter (2014), social relations include interactions among various individuals and
groups. Children develop relationships with other children in the society to initiate friendship and

Influencing Factors, Children And Self-Identity
progressive social interaction. The relationships can be either formed consciously (classmates) or
unconsciously (parents). The various social goals and expectations and obligations of children
help them to develop a strong network of friends with whom they can spend quality time and
play games, they can also study together in groups and many more activities.
Emotional Aspect
The emotional functioning of a child helps in developing its character. The various
aspects of emotional development on children helps to develop awareness in them. It also
facilitates development of vocabulary and expression of views. Emotional aspect develops a
sense of safety among babies and children (Hamre et al. 2014). Emotional development is a
complex process which starts at the infant stage and goes all the way to adulthood. The emotions
that are initially observed in babies are joy, anger, sadness and fear. As they grow up,
development of complex emotions starts building up that are recognised as shyness, surprise,
embarrassment, elation, guilt, shame, empathy and pride. Teachers and parents help children to
learn about various types of emotions and how to manage those emotions properly. On the other
hand, growth inducing years in children can help them to adapt as per the needs of the situations.
Psychological Aspect
Child psychology can be easily influenced in their growing years by internal and external
parameters in their vicinity. Psychologists have their views that parents can shape a baby’s self
worth from their birth by giving positive response to the infant’s actions. The positive response
of the parents helps the infants and children to gain a positive impact on the world. It can help
the children to feel motivated during the first year of their schools. As opined by O'connor,
Monk & Fitelson (2014), almost 68% of children are stressed by the changes in their

Influencing Factors, Children And Self-Identity
environment when they have to attend schools or day care centres. Children have enhanced skills
as they are gradually exposed to changes in environment. This helps in increasing their capability
of understanding and anticipating various events that are going on in their environment. At the
stage of 1 year the child learns and perceives that various external things and objects are existing
independently in their surroundings. The child’s physical interactions with his known
environment help them to advance from simple reflex movements to conditioned and
coordinated actions. These actions are fun activities for them and they help them to achieve
various goals. The infants and children learn the values of love, trust and dependency on others
from their mothers and primary care givers.
Current theories to evaluate development of self-identity in children
The various self-identity theories depend on the explanation of how the infants and
children grow their various growth stages during their infancy phase (Thompson, 2014). The
models revolve around many ways of advancement like organized development, sensitive
development and intellectual development. There are various theories that shed light upon the
behaviour of a child. Sigmund Freud was one of the early connoisseurs of child development
theory.
In this study, two theories of child development and self-identity are going to be
discussed.
Theory 1- Behaviour Child Developmental Theories
Developmental theories in the context of behavioural psychology of children have been
formulated since the advent of technology in socio-clinical spheres. This new thought was the
aspect of behaviourism amidst the scenario of child development and the effect of child

Influencing Factors, Children And Self-Identity
behaviour on psychology (Mikles, Suh & Kientz, 2017). As per behavioural patterns some types
of child and infant behaviour is defined as the influence of various types of environments. This
theory was formulated by famous behaviourists like John B. Watson and B.F.Skinner. According
to their views learning is the pure occurrence through the ways of associating and enhancement.
This theory mainly deals with the environmental influences that are mainly being
discussed in this context by various psychologists (Duncan, Magnuson & Votruba-Drzal, 2014).
The main focus of this theory is observable behaviours of children and infants. According to its
postulates, development is a cognitive result obtained from stimuli, reinforcements, rewards and
punishments. This theory is not based on the internal thoughts and feelings of the infants and
children. However it can be seen that a development in the character of a child is based on the
experience that he gathers. There are two types of conditions present in this study one is the
classic condition and operating condition.
Theory 2- Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development is mainly concerned with the enhancement of
thinking process of children. This theory mentions the various thinking process that is affecting
the thinking of children along with infants and their ways of interaction with this world. Piaget
coined the term that children and adults do not think in the same way. Jean Piaget was one of
those theorists who formulated one of the most influential cognitive development theories for
children (RISAS, 2018). This theory sheds light on various thought processes and mental states
of the children. Piaget has formulated four broad steps to develop a child’s intellect.
Step 1
The identified process takes place between birth and two years of age (Bornstein &
Bradley, 2014). In this stage, the knowledge of the child is limited due to less development in

Influencing Factors, Children And Self-Identity
motor skills and sensory perceptions. The behaviours of infants are limited to simple motor
response that is caused by sensory stimuli.
Step 2
This stage is the period of time between the ages of 2 years to 6 years. In this stage the
child learns to use language to express their emotions. On the other hand the children do not
develop the understanding of concrete logic, they are unable to shape information and take the
viewpoint of other people.
Step 3
The stage under consideration denotes the ages of 7 to 11. In this stage the children have
a good understanding in their mind and they begin to think logically about concrete events,
however they have problem in understanding of abstract and hypothetical concepts (Swim 2015).
Step 4
This stage is the period of time between the ages of 12 to adulthood. In this stage the
children and people develop the abilities to think about various abstract concepts (Cesarini et al.
2016). The children also develop various skills such as systematic planning, logical thought and
deductive reasoning in this stage.
Effect of childhood settings and educators on children’s social, emotional and psychological
welfare
Social Childhood Setting
The social childhood setting refers to the development of a child’s experience,
expression, managing emotions and creating a positive and rewarding relationship with others
(Trawick-Smith & Smith, 2014). Continuous interaction among the children and their parents

Influencing Factors, Children And Self-Identity
can create a progressive impact on their minds. This can help them to gain awareness about their
immediate and associated surroundings. As opined by Ullsperger, Nigg & Nikolas (2016),
instilling the sense of safety and belonging in a child can help them adapt to their society as well
as in unfamiliar events. The relationships with adults help the process of learning among infants
and children. The relationships with the adults help the infants to grow a sense of self realisation
and self identity. The infants and children develop relationship with other children present in the
family ad they also learn to trust and spread happiness among the various family members.
Emotional Childhood Setting
The emotional childhood setting refers to the development of the child and infants
emotional mindset. The infants express their emotions through vocalisations, expressions and
body language. Cultural factors help the children to understand the meaning of emotions,
development of knowledge and interactive relationships. Emotional range of an infant is limited
to positive or negative in response to the events that is implemented in their vicinity (Vértes &
Bullmore, 2015). The children should develop a sense of emotion regulation as well so that they
are not misunderstood by others. The children should know how to control their various impulses
during any social event or scenario. In school, teachers are responsible to create a progressive
environment so that children can get ample opportunity to learn and express them.
Psychological Childhood Setting or Well Being
The parents have to create a surrounding of new people around infants and children so
that they can develop psychologically and they can learn the values of trust and happiness. The
parents have to maintain a systematic routine of feeding and resting for the infants which is
going to help them maintain a balanced way of life. Hence, the parents are responsible for the

Influencing Factors, Children And Self-Identity
formulation of safe and happy ambience for their kids that can facilitate development of a
positive attitude (Yogman & Garfield, 2016). From the age of two months the infant’s starts to
smile at others and by the age of six months they have developed a sense of attachment towards
their mothers and other caregivers. The parents should also create a healthy environment for the
infants so that they do not acquire any harmful diseases.
Conclusion
Based on the information studied above, it can be concluded that the above study is
shedding light on the various social, emotional and psychological issues that are influencing the
creation of self identity of children and infants. This study also states about the various theories
that have been developed by various theoreticians like Watson and Piaget. The various settings
that influence the development of infants have also been discussed. The various settings are
social settings, emotional settings and psychological settings. This study is very much relevant in
today’s scenario as it is going to help parents understand the psychology of infants and children.

Influencing Factors, Children And Self-Identity
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