Social Factors of Human Development

Social Factors of Human Development

Introduction

            The manifestation of diverse social behaviour by human beings is the result of various social factors. These factors jointly expresses the ‘Development’ in psycho-social domains of the child.

Factors

1.         Family

2.         Social Environment

3.         Ecology

4.         Socio-Economic Status

5.         Peer Group Interactions

6.         Education

7.         Neighbourhood

1.         Family – Family is the most important unit of social set up. Child spends her initial years of learning within the environs of family. It prepares the base for growth and development by providing social contexts, situations and opportunities.  Family is the launching platform where child learns behavioural patterns, values, realities, skills, norms and adjustment in order to deal with outside world. The size, geographical location and cultural aspects of family affects the child in her forming years. The conditions (Economic, Illness, work stress, etc.) of family too influences the development of the child. The family continue to affect the development throughout all the five stages i.e. infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. In essence, family tops-up the child’s psycho-social quiver with required munitions.

2.         Social Environment (SE) – SE stimulates the social development. It consists of immediate social institutions such as neighborhood, family members, peers etc. The interpersonal relations (social) is the most important aspects of the SE. From SE a child learns the sense of right & wrong. The other important features that a child gather from SE are trust, faith and sharing. Social environment provides opportunities for self representation

and exploration that helps in development of social identity. SE arms the child with necessary skills that comes handy in dealing with isolation, rejection and mental conflicts. Through role models SE contributes in development of observational skills which are the fundamental components in development of autonomy in choices and decisions. It comparatively have larger effect during the childhood and adolescence than other three stages.   

3.         Ecology –  It is the study of individual’s interaction with surrounding environment. The ecological environment is dynamic in its nature. According to Durganand Sinha (1977) the ecology of the child can be viewed in terms of two concentric layers i.e. Upper layer and Surrounding layer.

            (i)        Upper layer (visible layer) – It consists of    home, school, peer group etc.

            (ii)       Surrounding layer – It consists of general     geographical environs, institutional settings   provided by caste, class etc. and general       amenities. 

            Both these layers interacts & influence each other, subsequently contribute significantly in child development.

4.         Socio-Economic Status (SES) –  Socioeconomic status is the social standing or class of an individual or group. It is often measured as a combination of education, income and occupation (APA). A measure and decisive factor that have profound effect on the development of a child. The opportunities, nutrition, education, quality of life, health care access and other physical amenities etc. are the function of SES. Studies across the board confirmed that SES is the major contributory factor in child development. Lower SES can lead to poor psychological & physical health, deprived education and impact negatively family well-being which consequently affects the development negatively.

5.         Education –  According to Swami Vivekananda education is the manifestation of perfection already in man. Education is a man-making, life giving and character-building tool. It facilitates learning, assists in acquiring skills, inculcate values, ensures proper socialization, develops morality & etiquettes. Education initiates a concept of enquiry and largely satisfies the curiosity (psychological motive) arising out occurrence of natural phenomenon. Education contributes in development of mind and body to their fullest. The appropriate education strives to make an individual psychologically complete that leads to self actualization of human being. Education accelerates creativity and holistic development. In sum education makes an individual complete, humble and humane

6.         Peer group Interaction (in context of child) – Peer group (PG) is a social group of people with approximately same age, socio-economic status and interests. The effect of PG is

most interesting & observable during the adolescence. It influences the personal beliefs, social values, thought pattern and even educational achievements. Peer group is a hard bound institution that tends to optimize the behavioural outcomes of an individual. PG interaction have profound impact on the psycho-social development and social competence of adolescents. PG members even provide answers of the questions that remained unanswered elsewhere. The group members tends to develop their own dialect and sign language for close within group communication. The PG interaction is crucial contributor in human development.

7.         Neighbourhood - The childhood (3-12 yrs.) is most susceptible to neighbourhood influences on development. The neighbourhood initiates a accepted pattern of socialization in child. The child tends to learn and compare various abstract phenomena from the neighbourhood. The concept of ‘Peer Group’ is defined through interaction with neighbourhood. The construct of identification of strengths and limitations of self, outdoor behaviour, responsibility, emotional management etc. are learned by the child through the interaction with neighbourhood.

References:

(i)        NCERT, XI Psychology Text Book.

(ii)       Mangal, S. K. (2002). Advanced Educational Psychology. Delhi: PHI.

(iii)      Tripathi, L. B. & Pandey, S (2009). मानव विकास का मनोविज्ञान. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company.

(iv)      https://www.apa.org/topics/socioeconomic-status/index. Aspx.

(v)       https://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/ children- families.aspx.

(vi)      https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/role-of-family-in-childs-development/

(vii)     https://www.all4kids.org/2017/12/11/role-family-child-development/.

(viii)    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teachings_and_philosophy _of_Swami_Vivekananda