Introduction
The mind is the manifestation of day to day experiences. This brings to the limelight processes like thought, cognition, emotion, goals, memory and imagination that take place within the brain. It refers to the thought process of reason. The mind is the awareness of consciousness, the ability to recognize what and why we take a particular course of action. The mind confers to human beings the ability to understand and interpret their environments. Therefore, it is a major source of information and the body part that controls the entire body.
Positive Mind Development
According to Muchimapura and Marsden (2004), the mind starts developing after conception and continues long after birth and minding is the practical knowledge that has a profound reason. In human beings the social part of life is learned and not biological. The mind cannot develop without physical and social interactions as they are the ones that yield experiences which lead to development. There are various facets which support the fact that interactions are very important in mind development. They include language development, effects of experiences on childhood and adult behaviours (Muchimapura & Marsden, 2004).
A research done on the overall effects of isolation on rats on brain structure and behaviour had effects similar to those of schizophrenia and depression in human beings. Isolates lack important sensory inputs from social contact. The isolated rats had abnormal brain development bringing about behavioural deficits (Muchimapura & Marsden, 2004). Childhood experiences influence mind development and the choices one makes on how to treat others, how to react when faced by a difficult situation and the choice of problem solving techniques. Children who are abused are prone to developing emotional, behavioural, social and mental disorders (Child welfare Information Gateway, 2011).
There are theories which explain language development in human beings. Behaviourist perspective as proposed by skinner states that language development is solely due to environmental influences. Babies learn through reinforcement and imitation (Siegel, 1999).
The nativist perspective proposed by Noam Chomsky assumes that language acquisition ability is innate. Children are born with a biologically based system called language acquisition device for mastering language. The integrationist perspective states that language achievements are through interactions of inborn abilities and environmental influences. Native capacity, desire to interact with others, a rich linguistic and social environment influence ones language capacity (Hawley, 2000).
These theories clearly bring out the critical role played by interactions in development. Though we have a biological ability to acquire knowledge, interactions help us attach meaning to our daily experiences and help us build our personalities. A child learns words through exposure to various people. Interactions help an individual understand that he/she is separate and helps one develop personality and self. This can only be achieved through early words and cognitive references. Communication enables one to connect himself to human goals and purposes.
Conclusion
Living organisms need to internalise both their physical and social environment thus mind cannot develop fully in isolation. Mind development starts at infancy and the experiences greatly influence brain development and ones behavioural responses at adulthood. For the mind to develop there is need for other contacts of an individual with the physical and social environment. The inclusion of all the elements in the course of the development of the mind is what sociologists call the socialization process.
References
Child welfare Information Gateway, (2011). Supporting brain development in traumatised children and youth. Maryland, MD: Children’s bureau.
Hawley, T. (2000). Ounce of Prevention Fund and Zero to Three: How early experiences affect brain development. Oxford University Press: Oxford.
Muchimapura, S. & Marsden, C. A. (2004). Thai journal of physiological sciences. Effect of social isolation rearing on the development, 17(1), 1-8.
Siegel, Daniel. The developing mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are. London: Guildford Press. 1999.