John Locke Theory In Childhood

John Locke was an English philosopher and physician in the 1600s and is considered to be one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers. His theories and philosophies are still remembered today by many. One of his most famous theories is, “A child is a blank state that is formed only through experience.” Locke believed that children have not developed personalities yet because they become who they are from their experiences growing up. John Locke’s theory about humans being shaped by experience is true because there is evidence proving a child is formed by their upbringing, observations they make, and traumatic experiences they have had. A child’s personality is easily formed by their upbringing and how they have been raised because

Psychology expert, Kendra Cherry researched development in children as well and found that, “Kids can learn a great deal simply from watching their parents, peers and siblings. Even the behaviors they observe on television, video games and the Internet can impact their own thoughts and actions. Because observational learning is so powerful, it is important to ensure that kids are observing the right kind of behaviors”(Cherry). Cherry’s research states that a child’s personality is greatly impacted by observations all around them. Even things as simple as television and video games can play a role in person’s individuality. She also claims, “Genetics play an important role in development, but experiences are equally important. For example, genetics may influence how a child 's brain is wired from birth, but learning and experience that will literally shape how that child 's brain grows and develops”(Cherry). Despite her assertion about genetics playing a role in development, she also believes that experiences or observations are equally important. Of course a child’s genes will play a part in development, but considering that everything a child experiences and observes plays an equally large role, personality maturation is clearly constituted from observations. Based on Kendra Cherry’s research, a child is not born with any set personality but, develops it by observing everything around

Heather Larkin researched this and states, “It is important to understand the way in which adverse childhood experiences, commonly known as ACEs, or childhood traumas, have the potential to influence the developing child and derail healthy developmental processes”(Larkin). Based on Larkin’s research, traumas that occur during one’s childhood can significantly affect who someone is. It would make sense that a traumatizing experience would make an impact in someone’s life and stick with them forever. This idea is also seen in Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein, once more. When the creation awakes he is like a child in the sense that he is innocent and unknowledgeable about life. He soon experiences a series of unfortunate events, which end up making him an angry, killing monster. In the novel, the creature tells his story to Victor and says, “The whole village was roused: some fled, some attacked me, until, grievously bruised by stones and many other kinds of missile weapons, I escaped to the open country, and fearfully took refuge in a low hovel”(Shelley). Victor’s creation started out oblivious and optimistic but soon learned that he was a hideous monster. Everyone’s negative reactions and even abuse, traumatized the being and he became a bitter killer. Therefore, negative experiences or traumatizing events hugely affect the growth and development of someone’s personality, based