Genie The Wild Child Essay Example

placement, notes were taken on Genie's tendency to hoard objects, particularly containers of liquid, which is a common behavior among abandoned children.

Mrs. Butler took it upon herself to sever all contact with the other members of Genie's case and filed for permanent custody. However, Social Services rejected her petition. As a result, Genie went back to Children's Hospital temporarily before being placed with Mr. Riddler.

Mr. Riddler assumed many roles in Genie's case and worked closely with her alongside his wife, Mrs. Riddle. They taught Genie to express her anger through tantrums instead of physically harming herself and helped her vocalize memories from her past.

As Genie attended nursery school and learned sign language, her vocabulary continued to expand. Despite differing opinions among case members about Genie's prognosis - some attributing severe brain damage from birth while others pointing towards isolation-induced mental delays - she exhibited impressive verbal skills albeit struggling with grammatically correct sentences.

In 1975, the research study on Genie concluded and she returned to the care of her mother once again.Genie's challenging upbringing led to frequent changes in foster families, exposing her to abuse and torment. An incident involving punishment for vomiting caused Genie to refuse opening her mouth, resulting in a setback in her progress. Nevertheless, Genie's case strongly supports the nurture argument as she managed to overcome her early environment by experiencing the world and forming personal relationships.

Remarkably, Genie's ability to learn how to speak even after adolescence showcases that human development extends beyond infancy and can be acquired at any stage of life. By establishing personal connections, Genie acquired skills to express various emotions like happiness, sadness, and anger. This highlights the

significant role of one's environment in their overall development.

This study aligns seamlessly with Skinner's Behavior Theory which suggests that an individual's development is influenced by the consequences of their actions. For instance, when encouraged positively to communicate and socialize, Genie engaged eagerly and found enjoyment in it. However, when punished for vomiting, she associated opening her mouth with negativity and consequently refrained from doing so.Skinner's emphasis on the nurture side of the argument is exemplified by Genie's case, which suggests that experiences play a crucial role in development and individuals are molded by their environment.