An Interesting Article

     When choosing my topic for this blog assignment, I began to think about our discussion board this week, and all the different ways my colleagues and myself were discussing the risk/benefit equation when referring to research studies on children.  I wondered if it would be possible to take another route, rather than subjecting children to our research.  So, I set off to look through the different articles in the Walden Library database and discovered the article I wish to share with you today; Separation/Abandonment/Isolation Trauma: An Application of Psychoanalytic Developmental Theory to Understanding its Impact on Both Chimpanzee and Human Children by Linda A. Chernus. 

     I found this article fascinating for two reasons.  First; the majority of research was done amongst a group of chimpanzees.  The species of chimpanzees studied; Pan Troglodytes; share between “98.6 and 99.4% of its genes with homo sapiens.” (Chernus, 2008) They also exhibit similar emotional attachments and depend heavily on their mothers for the first five to six years of their lives.  Because of all of these similarities; by studying the chimpanzee’s reactions to abandonment, abuse, and isolation, we will be able to further our understanding of human children’s reactions to such trauma without subjecting our children to research, and possible additional mental anguish.  The chimpanzees are put in situations of abandonment, neglect, and isolation in a simulated natural habitat and their reactions are observed.  However, this brings about the question; is it okay to socially and emotionally ostracize these animals?  What is the risk/benefit equation for this particular study? 

     Secondly, the article had a profound way of explaining trauma to the reader; “An event is said to be ‘traumatic’ when it is such that almost everyone will be somehow psychologically affected by it, although in a diversity of ways and with a wide range of recovery outcomes.  Some individuals will become permanently disabled, whereas others may fully recover their preexisting equilibrium or even achieve an enhanced, more adaptive level of functioning as a result of working through their traumatic experiences.” (Chernus, 2008) I really liked this explanation because it honors every reaction to trauma as relevant.  Everyone reacts different to different stimuli; therefore, there is no right or wrong way to recover from trauma.  As educators, it’s important to acknowledge this fact so as to better support our students that suffer through traumatic experiences.  I believe that it will assist us in remaining objective, patient, and understanding, when dealing with small children who will need our love and support through such situations. 

     Personally, I feel that conducting this type of research through the observation of chimpanzees is a brilliant way to help children who suffer from abandonment, neglect, and isolation.  We will come to better understand children who have lived through traumatic situations, while sparing them the possibility of further traumatization.  I would love to hear other’s feedback on this article.  I’m curious as to how all of my colleagues will feel about the use of chimpanzees in this study as opposed to observing children who have already suffered through abandonment, neglect and isolation. 

References:

Chernus, L. A. (2008). Separation/Abandonment/Isolation Trauma: An Application of Psychoanalytic Developmental Theory to Understanding its Impact on Both Chimpanzee and Human Children. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 447-468.

Research Topic

My original topic of interest for my research was to study how the environmental factors in which a child is raised can have an effect on his or her social and emotional development throughout childhood and into adulthood.  My subtopics included; the effects of losing a parent, the difference/importance of sibling bonds, and the effects of spoiling versus depriving our children.

I chose these topics based on my experiences as a teacher throughout my career.  I have only worked with two extreme demographics of children for long periods of time; rich, elite, white children or poor, underprivileged, ethnic children; both of various ages.  I have seen how these groups have behaved as small children, as well as how they grow into young adults.  I have always wondered how my student’s lives have affected them mentally and physically and how their relationships will suffer and/or prosper in the future because of the environments in which they were raised.

I feel that what will be most relevant to my current job and passions would be to research the effects of traumatic experiences at an early age, and how it will have an effect on one’s social and emotional development from childhood through adulthood.  My greatest challenge with choosing this topic is that “trauma” is rather broad.  However, I feel that by researching the effects of different traumatic situations and how they will impact a child’s social and emotional development, I will be better able to understand my students and the defense mechanisms and attachment issues they have developed over time.   I’m hoping after reading this blog entry, some of my colleagues could offer some insight on how I can narrow this topic further without completely altering the goals of my research.

The charts have been helpful in teaching me how to collect relevant information on topics.  They assist me in organizing my thoughts and truly breaking down my research into usable pieces of information to share.  I’m hoping that my colleagues will not only help me in refining my area of study, but also with locating quality sites where I can locate research material.  I’m having difficulty locating related documents on the Walden Library link.  I am wondering if maybe I’m using incorrect keywords, or if someone is aware of a journal I could look up directly to find relevant articles. 

I look forward to learning what each of you will be researching and collaborating with all of you on obtaining your materials.  I hope to share many insightful conversations about our experiences within the classrooms and our challenges and accomplishments in conducting this research.