Ellen Winner notes that "gifted children have a deep intrinsic motivation to master the domain in which they have high abilty, and are almost manic in their energy level" (292). Shenk contends that the rage to master is a "psychological mechanism forming out of some family/social/cultural dynamic," implying that, in the end, the environment may have the most effect on a person. Yet Ron Coley recalls that "[in a particular basketball game] there were nine players on the court just coasting" while Michael Jordan was "playing his heart out" (292, 96).
Providing evidence, What kind of environment do you believe should most effectively foster this "rage to master?" Is this environment similar to or differing from the environment Michael Jordan was raised in? Relating to Interdependence in Nature, would competition between people help foster growth of "the rage to master" but hinder overall development?
Michael Kim (mikekim2012@gmail.com)
Genes are obviously a big factor in determining who we are, but the environment determines what we become. As supported by the GxE model, and interdependence in nature, genes are said to interact with the environment rather than independently. With this being said, the “rage to master” is found in various types of people at different stages in life. Weather it be a child prodigy or adult superstar, the environment in which one develops is critical to their desire to perform. Many factors may contribute or stimulate this desire.
ReplyDeleteOne of these factors is early, limited exposure. From the moment of conception, children are developing and learning. Most child prodigies are exposed to what ever their talent is as soon as they are born. Being born into a family of talent, it becomes second nature to the child. After a study by Ellen Winner on child prodigies, it was found that the majority of the studied subjects did not go on to be adult superstars (Shenk 91-92). This is due to an over-exposure at too young of an age. Children develop this magnificent talent for intellectual or musical subjects, but they can only become so good. This is supported by Dr. Cote who says “kids don't necessarily need lots of pressure early on to become elite…If you burn kids out at a very early age, you might be left with a small group of technically gifted kids, but you may also waste talent in the process." (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110720115302.htm). Also, from a psychological viewpoint, constant praise from both family and strangers makes the child feel as though they have become good enough. They are satisfied with what they have become and continue doing whatever training and performing they are doing. It puts them in a bubble of security, and they “develop a terrible fear of new challenges…flaw or failure” (Shenk 92). This is why childhood experience should not be overdone. Kids get into a groove where they think they are the best at something and then fail to push themselves further because they are receiving a satisfactory response. By limiting exposure, it gives the child a chance to feel things out and find out what they want to pursue before they make any premature decisions.
In addition to exposure, a positive environment with encouragement and constructive criticism plays a large role in fostering a great talent. There are always those obsessive parents that want their kids to become everything they wanted themselves to be; they push them too far and place them in strict environments that may become un-enjoyable. Continuing Dr. Cote’s theory, he states "If you create a coaching environment where the kids are happy and passionate they'll continue to be involved and develop their skills.” (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110720115302.htm). Positive encouragement and a little reinforcement allows a child to take pride in what they are doing without feeling the pressure to live out their parents dreams. It gives them a chance to excel. On the other hand, it also allows them to recognize if they are really enjoying what they are doing. Based on a study by Carol Dweck, 90% of 700 seventh graders that were praised for their hard work, rather than inborn intelligence, chose more difficult tasks instead of sticking with the same one in which they had success (Shenk 98). A similar effect of praise in child prodigies has been seen; when they are supported for their intelligence, they stay on a continuous level of talent. When they are praised based on effort, they continue to challenge themselves and grow.
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ReplyDeleteThis environment that was described above is very similar to the one that Michael Jordan was raised in. His superb talent didn’t develop until his later years; this proves the fact that talent is not innate rather a process, and childhood achievements do not restrict nor predict future outcome for the child. In the Jordan family, Michael was not the best athlete, most industrious, or mechanically inclined, but he had a passion for sports. Throughout his childhood, he had developed a knack for football, baseball, and basketball. He got a taste of everything and ended up pursuing basketball. He wasn’t over exposed, but rather experienced a buffet of sports to choose which one he knew he could excel at. After a summer basketball camp, he did not make the varsity basketball squad while his friend did (Shenk 85). After losing a spot on the varsity team, Michael was determined to get better. Jordan had always hated losing and had a highly competitive nature which came from a natural cause rather than force. Everyday he would play basketball with his brother Larry which would tremendously help him in the long run. Shenk says that practice changes your muscles, nerves, heart, lungs, and brain in order to increase your skill level in whatever your talent may be (65). This competition allowed Michael to see what he could become and envision what he would ultimately strive for. It was one of the major factors in his “rage to master” and did not hinder but helped his overall development. Constant interspecific competitive interactions with his brother and teammates are similar to competitive exclusion in the wild; if someone is taking over your territory and causing a threat to survival (Jordan’s spot on the team), they must be competitively excluded. Jordan always gave 110% weather it be a game or just shooting around in the park. While most players would recreationally play to show off their skills, Jordan would work on the weakest aspect of his game to try and improve his abilities (Shenk 97). In practice and games, his coach would play him with weak teammates so that he would have to work that much harder to win. He had experienced just enough failure followed by encouragement to push him past struggles and develop his talent. But most importantly, he had an individual yearning to succeed that would end him up in the hall of fame.
(Katie Donnowitz kdonnowitz94@aol.com)
ReplyDeleteI agree that the environment that the child grows up in determines who they will inevitably become. Though there are many factors that influence their decision, their actions, and their mindset, it all started with the parents.
ReplyDeleteBringing up the idea of epigenetic, parents can influence the fate of their child, positively or negatively, by doing something to alter their genes, inevitably leading to a change in the child’ genetics. I believe that the people that raise you (PRY), mostly parents or siblings, are the biggest influence on the child’s future.
One of the reasons for why PRY parents, are the biggest influence are first, they have the genetic components that will inevitably makeup their offspring. While the child is still a fetus the parents can affect the baby by even the simplest means, such as the substance intake. If a pregnant mother continues to drink or smoke the chemical compounds found in the substances being taken can lead to a genetic mutation, leading to higher chances of disease and disorders.
Another reason for why PRY’s are the biggest factor is because of the child’s need for them. A human infant is one of those species that are dependent upon their parents to raise them, which is different from other species, such as sea turtles. Sea turtle mothers, lay the eggs and leave their child to fend for themselves. This dependency and self-less aid makes the child, rely upon their parents. This makes the parents the first example of the society makeup for the child. Therefore, even at a young age, the offspring is a mimicker of the parent. They watch and observe what their parents do, and then they repeat. These become the first habits and characteristics for the child. (http://solongfreedom.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/proof-that-newborns-mimic-their-parents/).
The best environment, or the best influence the parents can use on their child, according to Shenk, is for a parent to raise their child is to “believe, support, don’t smother, pace and persist, and embrace failure (136-142). “Embracing failure” is the biggest component. This teaching method has pushed Michael Jordan to who he has become today. These habits that the child has learned by mimicking can also change the mind-process for a child. This can be the growth-mindset or the fixed-mindset. Michael Jordan was a growth-mind set. There was never an end. He would push himself until he knew that he has done his utmost best. The best way to achieve growth mind-set is by the original 4 teachings according to Shenk. A very similar character,Yuna Kim, who is the first figure skater of South Korea to receive a gold medal in the Olympics and many other tournaments such as the World Champions. Kim Yuna’s parents were very supportive of her daughter’s dream in figure skating. By continuously pressing the child to pursue their goals in a positive manner, as a growth mindset, Kim Yuna developed her own “rage to master” mind and now continues to grow. This compassionate raising of the child is the best, because it doesn’t leave burdened scars or any psychological damages. It creates a more positive mindset in the child. (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/02/117_61510.html)
The “rage to master” that both Michael Jordan and Yuna Kim have was gained because of their handicap. For Michael Jordan it was his height, that limited him, but his passion and growth-mind set allowed him to become a star basketball player. A similar story to Yuna Kim is, in Korea, figure skating was not a very popular sport, and her parents could not afford her, her own skating rink, but because of her lack, it made her want more.
Both Yuna Kim and Michael Jackson were passionate because of the competition. Interdependence in nature, states that these two people were positioned in a place where some skill or lifestyle method are the reason for what they have become now. Both despise failure. Michael Jordan; from his brother, and Yuna Kim; from other competitors who had their own skate rink.
ReplyDeleteCompetition can be good, but too much can backfire. High competition can be a burden in that, if a person strives for something, but fails to reach it because of someone’s interference it can create either disappointment or frustration leading to a more fixed mindset or it can allow a person to push themselves. (http://dandlee.blogspot.com/) This can also be an example of negative feedback; in that too much can lead to less of itself. But in general, competition for those with growth-mind set says that “you can do better, just try harder”.
(Christine Park go2christine@hotmail.com)