Reference no: EM133258033

Summary: In the fall of 1970, social workers took custody of a 13-year-old child who had spent much of her life chained to a potty chair in her bedroom and raised in social isolation. She could not speak, walk, or respond to other people. She was called "Genie." Her case attracted psychologists who were interested in finding out whether she could still learn to speak. At the time, some linguists believed that human speech is a genetically programmed ability and that if a person did not learn to speak by adolescence, then the natural ability to learn language might be lost forever. This theory was the so-called "critical period hypothesis." Although Genie's situation was one that scientists would never create intentionally to test their theories, her unfortunate circumstances made her a prime candidate for experimentation. Genie was past puberty. If she could still learn language, it would cast doubt on the critical period hypothesis. Ultimately, Genie's caretakers were criticized for combining their research with her treatment.

Watch the 55-minute film Genie: Secret of the Wild Child. Then answer the following questions in a few sentences. Tip: It might help to review the questions before watching the film, so that you know what to look for. Then, try to keep them in your mind (or have them near you) as you watch the film. (Writing them down on a piece of paper may also help). It should make completing the questions much easier once you've finished watching the film. Here are the questions:

1. How did the story of Genie affect you? How do you feel about the way Genie's parents and the psychologists treated her? How would you have modified her treatment by the psychologists and foster parents?

2. Was there an inherent conflict between the goals of research and Genie's need to receive treatment and care? Did harm come out of the researchers' good intentions?

3. What do the cases of Genie and Victor tell us about the "critical period hypothesis"?

4. What are some behaviors or traits that may be the result of "nature" (list several)? What are some behaviors or traits that may be the result of "nurture" (list several? Are some things affected by both nature and nurture? What about speaking? Walking? Loving? Intelligence? Body size? List several behaviors or traits that are affected by both nature and nurture.

5. How might Freud's, Mead's, Piaget's, and Erickson's theories of human development explain the situation of Genie?

6. Who exactly are we without society?