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Paper short abstract:

Is it possible to imagine an education disentangled from the notion of human development? Yes, I think so. I propose to represent it by what I call autismlogy: a kind of science that departs from the premise that thought and attention becomes richer if observation positions moves.

Paper long abstract:

Since the rise of modernity, the alliance between education and some notion of human development lay the ground of what is understood in western context as family, childhood, school and, more recently, autism. Against it, I argue that, if we want a more inclusive education, it is necessary to imagine a school detached from the hegemonic notion of human development.

To do so, I write about an autistic boy I met in research. At four and a half years old at the time, he had an infinite memory combined with an unstoppable body. I describe him as a kind of pre-Descartes nomad: ignoring the detachment between mind and body articulated by the philosopher, his movement was a form of knowledge. If he is noticed from this perspective, one that recognizes movement as a way to know and understands that cognition depends on the body to generate representations, he may be an illustration of an atypical body/mind, but in no way disabled. However, at school, he was a problem because he wouldn't sit still or be quiet. He became disabled in relation to school.

This boy’s story allows me to imagine a school that, instead of trying to make students bodily and cognitively sedentary, welcomes the nomadism of autistic and non-autistic children. An institution inspired by what I would like to call autismlogy: some kind of science that departs from the premise that thought and attention becomes richer – and not uncoordinated or distracted – if observation positions constantly move.

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Paper short abstract:

The research aims to identify the downsides of excessive technology use on the development of adolescents. Through the observation of a high school classroom the impact of technology on adolescents’ relationships, academic performance, and connection to reality is investigated.

Paper long abstract:

This paper and the research presented examines the social, psychological, and biological effects of excessive technology use on adolescent development. It is through the observation of adolescents in a classroom setting that issues including decreased social skills, jeopardized relationships, poor academic performance, and a skewed sense of reality and identity have been identified. This paper offers explanations on how technology can in part be blamed for these matters. It connects technology use to the topic of psychoanalytic anthropology through the discussion of behavior, sense of self, motivation, consciousness, and attention span. It also suggests possible future impacts that damaged development resulting from technology use will have on our society. This paper aims to make readers aware of such issues and emphasizes the importance of decreased technology use during critical developmental years.

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In this paper, I examine the role of a child’s autonomy through a two-person psychological lens. I advocate for the process of self-examination within the inherently imbalanced power dynamic in the child-authority figure dyad in order to preserve children’s authenticity.

Paper long abstract:

Freedom is perhaps the most important quality anyone can have. Wars have been fought and entire nations have been birthed out of the struggle for liberation. To the existentialists, freedom was the very meaning of life, the raison d’être. And who among us possesses more freedom than the child, with their boundless optimism and creativity?

Children will lead more meaningful lives if we allow them to explore life on their own. Rather than forcing children to conform to arbitrary rules, educators should take a step back and focus on empowering children to make their own decisions and learn for themselves. This classroom approach can help children develop a greater sense of self-responsibility and authenticity for themselves. In this paper, I examine the role of a child’s autonomy in the process of their creation of meaning through a two-person psychological lens. I go on to advocate for the enabling of children to be free through the process of self-examination within the inherently imbalanced power dynamic in the child-authority figure dyad. Our responsibility towards children should always be the empowerment of them to lead authentic lives.

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Paper short abstract:

This essay is a summary of 3 months of observation sessions at a local preschool classroom. I took notes of developmental milestones and behavioral differences throughout the course of the 3 month period.

Paper long abstract:

The subject of this essay was to summarize my experience in observing children, aged 3-5, in a preschool setting. In some of my observations, I took a naturalistic approach to observing the children of the classroom, though I usually tended to stick with a more involved approach to try to build a relationship with the children, teacher, and aides in the classroom. I talk mainly about the developmental milestones that I noticed in various children in the classroom, and how these milestones took shape for each individual child. I also note the behavioral differences in the children, some being more open while others kept to themselves for the most part.

Keywords: preschool observation, naturalistic observation, development, developmental milestones, verbal communication

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Paper short abstract:

Using autoethnography, ANT and psychoanalytic anthropology, this paper explores the imaginative and material networks involved in making collaborative digital livestream opera aimed at infants and carers, and touches on the role of human development in shaping these networks.

Paper long abstract:

This paper explores the collaborative processes involved in the creation of operatic work aimed at infants under eighteen months and their carers, using a mixed methodology combining Actor Network Theory [ANT], autoethnography and a psychoanalytic anthropological perspective. I examine the reinvention of my “baby opera” BambinO as a digital livestream opera during the COVID-19 lockdowns, where artistic approaches to multimodal learning had to be reimagined for remote audiences. The basis of my analysis traces ANT-influenced concepts of twin material and imaginative networks as a framework for understanding interdisciplinary collaboration. I also examine the role of human development in shaping these networks. Here, psychoanalytic anthropology plays two roles: as a “counterscience” (after Gammeltoft and Segal’s commentary on Foucault) that “unmake[s]” the individuals being studied, exposing the artistic collaborators’ interior and ‘exterior’ social processes of opera making; and as a way to map infant developmental processes across the imaginative work of adult artists. The latter role creates space for exploring what Lori A. Custodero calls “the idea of mutuality”, of adults recognising and identifying with childhood experience, where adults and children can “see ourselves in one another”. My tracing of twin networks attempts to rise to Custodero’s challenge to “adopt a more descriptive repertoire to fully comprehend the legacy of children” - creating a framework that analyses how collaborative artists rely on intersubjective meaning-making that must embrace the human experience of our imagined audiences, and our own lived experience extending into our memory of childhood and liminal dream states.

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Paper short abstract:

Utilising dioramas examines child development through psychoanalytic and anthropological perspectives. Students curate childhood experiences, contributing to empathetic teaching strategies. The visual representations provide cultural recognition and meaning to childhood moments.

Paper long abstract:

The joint paper presents an innovative approach leveraging dioramas as an analytical tool to examine child development through psychoanalytic and anthropological perspectives by. First-year students actively engage in crafting and curating dioramas representing childhood moments, facilitating a unique experiential learning approach. The study explores child development within a laboratory school context, integrating psychoanalytic depth-oriented techniques with anthropological insights. Dioramas offer visual representations of childhood experiences and relationships, enriching the understanding of developmental complexities. Observational research in the lab school setting focuses on children's interactions, play, and behavior, facilitating connections between psychoanalytic theories and cultural influences. The dioramas provide intricate snapshots of childhood experiences, shedding light on the influence of cultural norms on identity construction. The analysis highlights the interplay between unconscious drives and cultural context, offering insights into empathetic teaching strategies taking into account individual and cultural landscapes. This intersection enriches the comprehension of childhood development, emphasizing the integration of individual psychological growth with the collective cultural environment. Ultimately, the blended approach provides valuable insights into the experiences shaping young minds, paving the way for nurturing empathy and resilience in educational practice.

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Paper short abstract:

Using the four most prominent theories of speech, and language (behavioral, nativistic, semantic-cognitive, and social-pragmatic), this paper analyzes the communicative patterns gleaned from a semester of direct preschool observation.

Paper long abstract:

This paper focuses on speech, and language patterns from a psychoanalytical, and more classical psychological perspective. The backbone of this review is observational research conducted at the college’s adjacent child development lab school, a specialized facility whose aim is to provide a robust education to young children: more specifically, toddlers, and preschoolers. At its core, this paper aims to understand the subconscious motivators that create speech, and language patterns in preschool children, and how the preschool environment plays a role in the communicative development. To do so, this paper utilizes B.F. Skinner’s behavioral theory, Noam Chomsky’s nativist theory, Jean Piaget’s semantic-cognitive theory, and Michael Tomasello’s social-pragmatic theory, in conjunction with quantitative data collected at the college’s lab school. Though this review heavily relies on theories, some decades old, the resulting analysis has practical application in numerous settings, whether the classroom, or at home. It offers insight into the subconscious aspect of language development, allowing educators, and parents alike, to more deliberately, and consciously support a child’s transition from non-verbal to verbal communication, and underlines the importance of multi-situational childhood socialization (obtained both in, and outside of school).

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Paper short abstract:

Exploring the overlooked power of reflective supervision in supporting children and teenagers with trauma and their caretakers as crucial for their development. Reflective processes play a vital role in informing effective action and promoting healing and rehabilitation.

Paper long abstract:

Exploring the critical role of reflective supervision in effectively supporting the human development of children and teenagers experiencing trauma along the 'school to prison pipeline'. It emphasizes the need to establish robust reflective supervisory practices and underscores their benefits in guiding effective action. Reflective supervision is pivotal in providing a nurturing environment for the human development of children and teenagers, particularly those undergoing trauma, as it enables practitioners and caregivers to better understand and respond to their complex needs. The importance of prioritizing reflective supervision, despite time and resource constraints, is essential for fostering healthy human development in these individuals. By providing supportive and reflective spaces for caregivers, reflective supervision becomes a vital tool in promoting the emotional, psychological, and social development of young people facing challenging circumstances. Furthermore, this paper underscores the significant impact of reflective supervision on the creation of a therapeutic environment within the 'school to prison pipeline'. It presents a cost-effective means of establishing sound supervisory practices and internal organizational supervision models to support the development of those within the system. The presentation illustrates how effective supervisory practices contribute to positive human development outcomes and highlights the detrimental consequences when reflective practice is disregarded, dismissed, or sidelined. In overwhelmed and under-resourced educational and social care systems, reflective supervision serves as a crucial element for providing professional guidance to adult caregivers and as a means of containment and psychotherapeutic intervention for the children and teenagers they support. Neglecting reflective practice within these systems can pose a threat to the healthy human development of the individuals within the 'school to prison pipeline', underscoring the urgent need for a shift toward prioritizing reflective supervisory practices for the well-being of all involved.

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Paper short abstract:

This paper delves into the significance of culture, focusing on how different societies perceive and shape space, and how space reflects social and cultural values. It also explores the symbolic value of space and its impact on human evolution within the framework of psychoanalytic anthropology.

Paper long abstract:

This paper delves into the significance of anthropology in culture and the varying societal perceptions of space, emphasizing its pivotal role in human experience. It explores the reflection of social and cultural values in space and the symbolic importance of space, drawing on the insights of psychoanalytic anthropology. The paper examines how architecture shapes spaces and environments as symbols that influence human mental states and evolution. It also discusses the interpretation of space within the framework of anthropological semantics, emphasizing how people mold space in accordance with their social and cultural realities. Additionally, the paper looks at how human evolution and psychoanalytic anthropology interpret the shaping of the environment, including architecture, as an expression of social and cultural realities. The rooms of the ‘Timeless Ties: The Art of Childhood’ exhibition, along with their contents are analyzed as a social space within the context of interpersonal relationships, intercultural dimensions, and cultural diversity. Through these insights, the paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between anthropology, space, and human experience, shedding light on the profound influence of space on social, cultural, and psychological dynamics.

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Paper short abstract:

This paper explores culture, race, and racism through a transracial adoptee's experiences, emphasising self-identity amid cultural influences. It contributes to a cosmopolitan perspective on diversity, multiculturalism, and human development, focusing on the transracial adoptee journey.

Paper long abstract:

This paper engages in an auto-ethnographic exploration of intricate dynamics at the intersection of culture, race, and racism, providing a distinctive viewpoint through a transracial adoptee's experiences. Employing reflective writing and self-directed interviews, it navigates the complexities of shaping a cohesive self-identity amid competing cultural influences.

With a focus on ambiguity and hybridity, the research contributes to our comprehension of diversity and multiculturalism, particularly within the context of the transracial adoptee experience, enriching our understanding of human development. This emphasis aligns with the nuanced interplay of these elements, nurturing a cosmopolitan perspective.

The study thoroughly investigates the transracial adoptee journey, addressing narratives, intersectional discourse, integration, open-ended narratives, ambiguity, and hybrid identities. These aspects offer valuable insights, contributing meaningfully to academic and societal discourse on human development.

Through meticulous examination, this research underscores the significance of acknowledging and navigating ambiguity while cultivating a hybrid identity within the broader context of human development. It adds depth to discussions on multiculturalism and diversity, offering a unique perspective on the intricate processes of human development in the transracial adoptee experience.

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Paper short abstract:

Exploring whether there is an influence of Jamaican culture on the disclosure and help-seeking behaviours of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors. The literature review highlights the effects of stigma, limited social support, legal challenges, and cultural norms on CSA survivors in Jamaica.

Paper long abstract:

Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) remains a global concern with far-reaching implications for survivors' mental health. This research proposal focuses on investigating the intricate interplay between Jamaican culture and the disclosure and help-seeking behaviours of CSA survivors. A thorough literature review uncovers pervasive themes such as stigma, limited social support, legal challenges, and cultural norms affecting CSA survivors in Jamaica, forming the foundation for the research questions and objectives. The study employs a qualitative methodology, specifically Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), conducting semi-structured interviews with eight Jamaican-origin adult CSA survivors. Participant recruitment utilises diverse channels, including social media platforms, membership magazines, and snowball sampling, ensuring representation of Jamaican origin, CSA survivorship, mental health background, therapy experience, and PTSD symptom absence for over a year. The research places significant emphasis on ethical considerations, ensuring participant confidentiality, safety, and well-being through informed consent, transcript validation, and adherence to ethical guidelines. The analytical process of IPA involves a meticulous examination of transcripts, theme development, and interpretation, presenting findings interpretively with verbatim extracts. The study's significance lies in its potential to offer subtle insights, address existing gaps, and inform interventions, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of mental health services for CSA survivors in Jamaica.

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Paper short abstract:

Within the rubric of “Anthropology of Childhood” this paper based on fieldwork intends to look at the initiation of a child into the realm of the digital world of cartoon characters and how it shapes the personality of a child.

Paper long abstract:

Within the rubric of “Anthropology of Childhood” work has been carried out to understand the psychological development of the child while growing up and how this impact manifests in the later years. The culture and personality school within the ambit of psychological anthropology through its studies on child socialization patterns had given a key explanation for adult personality and cultural patterns.

Taking cues from such works on child socialization, this paper based on observations and interviews with mothers having children in the age group of 01-10 years intends to look at the initiation of a child into the realm of the digital world of cartoon characters and how it shapes the personality of a child. The observation was carried out among the mothers living in a residential complex in Delhi. The mothers belonging to various ethnic backgrounds share common affiliation through their profession and thus, it was a homogenous group. One of the questions that the paper intends to focus on is the mother’s role in initiating a child to the digital world of cartoon characters. The impact of the digital world on the psychology of the child and how they embark on the journey of a fantasy world through characters of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Elsa, Anna, etc. The humble attempt is to understand how the child moves between the realm of fantasy and the real world and the mother’s role in this interplay.