Analytical Comparison of Attachment Theory and Cognitive Theory on Essay

Analytical Comparison of Attachment Theory and Cognitive Theory on Children's Behaviour - Essay Example 46). Such factors may be related to the child’s immediate environment during the early stages of growth, emotional attachments to the child’s care givers, social relations with friends and peers, and factors related to the child’s cognition. Over time, the knowledge of the factors influencing behaviour has enabled policymakers to formulate policies and programs that promote better development of children’s behaviour in different sectors. This paper seeks to examine both the Attachment Theory and Cognitive Theory with the aim of relating the theories to children’s behaviour. Description of Attachment Theory and Cognitive Theory The attachment theory asserts that children begin to develop psychological attachment to the first people they relate with, and knowledge acquired through such attachments influences their behavioural development (Inge 1992, p. 38). As such, the theory affirms that a positive parent-child relationship during the early stages o f child growth and development is essential, since it influences the future behaviour of the child in later stages of life. The nature of the relationship between the child and the care giver during the early stages of growth determines the nature of the child’s character, personality, and behaviour in later years (Inge 1992, p. 38). ... 38). Cognitive theory associates behaviour with the mental processes, asserting that people make choices according to how they perceive and understand different situations in their lives (Doherty & Hughes 2009, p.39). Cognitive theory advances that human behaviour is not solely based on reflex, or cause and effect, but people make conscious and logical choices to undertake particular actions depending on their understanding of the situations. As such, the theory argues that people do not act merely for the need to react to scenarios in their immediate environments, but rather they act to respond to their mental and psychological processes which term their actions as logical and necessary (Dowling 2009, p.121). The exposure of children to environments with different experiences influences their behavioural development, since such exposure requires the children to behave differently in different situations (Chesnay & Anderson 2011, p.3). Analysis in relation to current policies, strate gies, and legislations Attachment theory Different policies, strategies, and legislation have been formulated and adopted in programs aimed at promoting proper children growth and development, particularly in relation to children’s behaviour. Understanding of the influence of the attachment theory and cognitive theory in children’s behaviour has led to the formulation of Every Child Matters, an arrangement that seeks to ensure that all children are considered in the services provided by statutory, voluntary, or private providers (Gargiulo 2010, p.43). Children with avoidant attachment characteristics are largely antisocial and independent in most of their activities,