Vygotsky’s Cognitive Development Theory
Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development states that parents and schools shape children’s thought processes to value culture that which society values. Even when individuals are by themselves, what they think and do is the result of cultural values and practices some of which may stretch back over hundreds or thousands of years (Snowman, McCown, & Biehlar 2012).
Vygotsky theory also makes mention of a process called mediation, which is "a process that occurs when a more knowledgeable individual interprets a child’s behavior and helps them transform it into an internal and symbolic representation that means the same thing to the child as it does to society" (Snowman McCown, & Biehlar 2012).
Explanation
In the beginning of the movie it is not evident that Akeelah has anyone in her life to act as her mediator. Vygotsky’s defines a mediator as a person who is more knowledgeable than the child and guides the child so that the child can make good decisions even when the mediator is not present. Akeelah’s father died when she was six years old, and her mother works long hours which means that she is not home much. Even though she instills discipline in Akeelah, she is hardly there to enforce the rules set for her children. Her mother is not aware that Akeelah continuously skips classes and that her brother hangs out with the local drug dealer Derrick T.
Her older brother is our first introduction to Vygotsky’s definition of a mediator. Akeelah's brother finds out from his mother that she is skipping class and warns Akeelah that “she better not be skipping class." As the oldest brother he seems to be the replacement father figure and someone Akeelah can confide in. In the scene before her brother leaves for his army base, he tells Akeelah that he heard she won her school spelling bee, and she had a chance to go to an even bigger contest. She makes up various excuses for why she would not be competing in the district bee. Her brother correctly guesses that she is scared and her brother compares her fear of competeing in the spelling bee to him jumping out of a plane for the first time. He tells her that everything in his body told him no but the mind has to be smarter than the body. Akeelah follows her brother’s advice and decides to enter the district spelling bee
Dr. Larabee serves as another example of Vygotsky’s mediator. He is a former spelling bee champion and college professor at UCLA. Dr. Larabee teaches Akeelah many life lessons. He says “Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate. It is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous. Actually, who are you not to be. We were born to make manifest and as we let our let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” Akeelah interprets this quote to mean that she cannot be afraid of herself. You can tell that she takes this quote to heart because from this point on she gains more confidence in herself and believes that she is worthy of winning the spelling bee. Dr. Larabee also teaches Akeelah that she must speak properly; that it is important to have life goals and that if you have to willing to sacrifice and work hard to achieve your goals.
Dr. Larabee is seen as the replacement father figure in Akeelah’s life. Dr. Larabee increased Akeelah’s level of mental development because he introduced Akeelah to more developed thinking (Snowman, McCown, & 2012). He exposes her to scholarly essays and works that shows African-Americans in a positive light rather than in the way she used to seeing them. A teacher’s affection and care can have a decidedly positive impact on student learning and achievement which could ultimately decide whether the student completes school (Nieto, 2010). Dr. Larabee does not want Akeelah to just be another statistic. He guides her to be a hard-working student by telling her that she must be no nonsense and leave that “ghetto” talk at the door. He broadens Akeelah’s views on society and education, which in turn contributes to her positive cognitive development.
Robert Sternberg’s Triarchic View: The Theory of Successful Intelligence
This theory consists of three main parts. The first ability involves applying knowledge to everyday situations, using tools, and seeking relevance. Practical ability is the ability to adapt to one’s environment, shape one’s environment, and select a different environment. The second is a creative ability which involves inventing, discovering, imagining, supposing, and solving novel and unfamiliar problems. The third part is analytic ability which involves breaking ideas and products into their component parts, making judgments, evaluating, comparing, contrasting, and critiquing. (Snowman, McCown, Biehlar 2012)
Explanation
Robert Sternberg’s Triarchic View is evidenced by Akeelah’s practical ability. In the beginning of the movie it is shown that the kids at Crenshaw middle school do not take education seriously as most of the grades on the spelling test were C and below. Even though Akeelah tries to hide her intelligence, it eventually becomes well known throughout the school. As a result two girls confront Akeelah by calling her a “freak” and telling her to do their English homework because they heard she was a “braniac” to which Akeelah replies “I aint no braniac” showing that she does not want to be associated with her intelligence. In Akeelah’s neighborhood it becomes clear that they do not place high values on education. Even the person closest to Akeelah, her best friend Georgia, aspires to be a flight attendant which does not require a degree. Akeelah becomes famous in her neighborhood because her win at the national spelling bee is broadcast. After which she is revered for being smart and looked up to by the community. Sternberg states that “where a mismatch exists and the individual cannot adapt to the values of the majority the intelligent person explores ways to make the values of others more consistent with his or her own values or skills” (Snowman, McCown, & Biehlar). By doing well in the bee, Akeelah changed her neighborhood’s mindset. Instead of feeling like an outcast as she did in the beginning of the film she now feels loves and acceptance by the community.
Akeelah also experiences Steinberg’s creative ability. Dr. Larabee, Akeelah’s spelling bee coach, tells her that she has to learn five-thousand new words and that he is now no longer be able to help her, so now Akeelah has to learn all on her own. With the help of her mother, Akeelah turns her whole community into coaches. In doing this Akeelah discovers that she has support and that being intelligent isn’t so bad. Her intelligence had a positive impact on her community.
Nodding’s Erickson’s and Kohlberg’s Care Theory
Nodding’s care theory states it is not enough to say that we care; to simply express concern for someone or some group of people. Instead, a caring relationship must be established. A caring orientation to social and moral development is an alternative to the justice-fairness-individual. (Snowman, McCown, & Biehlar 2012)
Nodding Theory is first evidenced in the movie when the character Dylan Chiu is introduced. He is Akeelah’s rival and the only person that can beat her in the spelling bee. Dylan had placed second in the national bee two years in a row and this was his final chance to place first. Upon their first meeting, Akeelah tries to introduce herself and he rebuffs her. He then asks her to spell the word xanthosis she spells it with a z instead of an x which results in him telling her that if the boy hadn’t been caught cheating she wouldn’t have made the cut. Dylan is rude and abrasive toward Akeelah even though he does not know her. Akeelah witnesses Dylan’s father berating him about losing the national bee on two separate occasions. This makes Akeelah feel sorry for Dylan. Despite the fact that Dylan was mean to her, Akeelah was willing to give up winning the bee so that Dylan can win because this is his last chance. Also the night before the national spelling bee, Akeelah invites Dylan to her room to hang out and brings him a soda pop. It is evident that a caring relationship has developed between them because Dylan refuses to let Akeelah give up her chance at becoming a champion. After this moment, Dylan and Akeelah become friends. Akeelah extended her friendship to Dylan even though it was obvious he did not particularly care for her. Nodding states that there is a human desire for goodness (Snowman, McCown, &Bieher). Akeelah utilized her desire to be good which showed in her developmental growth and maturity.
Erickson’s Theory: Psychosocial development
Erickson’s Theory describes psychological growth from infancy to old age. The eight stages of psychosocial development are trust versus mistrust, autonomy versus shame and doubt, Initiative versus guilt, industry versus inferiority, indent versus role confusion, intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair. (Snowman, McCown & Biehlar)
The three that are relevant to the movie are discussed below:
Psychosocial Crisis principle
In Erickson’s view personality development occurs as one successfully resolves a series of turning points or psychosocial crises. Crises occur when people feel compelled to adjust to the normal guidelines and expectations that society has for them but are not altogether certain that they are prepared to carry out these demands fully (Snowman, McCown, & Biehlar 2012).
Intimacy Versus Isolation (Young Adulthood)
To experience satisfying development at this stage, the young adult needs to establish close and committed intimate relationships and partnerships with other people. Failure to establish certain relationships will lead to a sense of isolation (Snowman, Mccown & Biehlar 2012).
Identity Versus Role Confusion
The development of the roles and skills needed to prepare adolescents to take a meaningful place in society. Role confusion occurs when having no clear conception of appropriate behavior that others will react to favorably.
Akeelah is an intelligent girl. She is received an A on the spelling test she did not even study for. Although she is smart, she pretends that she is not and skips class in order to fit into her community. Akeelah is in what Erickson refers to as a psychosocial crisis. Personality development occurs as one successfully resolves a series of turning points, or psychosocial, crisis. "Crises occur when people feel compelled to adjust to the normal guidelines and expectations that society has for them but are not altogether certain that they are prepared to carry out these demands fully" (Snowman, McCown, & Biehlar 2012). Akeelah attends Crenshaw middle school, a rundown school that does not even provide doors for the bathroom stalls. Akeelah is struggling with identity versus role confusion because she does not yet know her role in society. At Crenshaw the students do poorly and do not believe that being smart is good. It isn't until Akeelah meets Javier another constant friend and romantic interest, that she starts developing her own sense of identity and realizes that her place in the world is to uplift her community by winning the spelling bee. She tells her mother she doesn't know if she can do the spelling bee because everyone is counting on her to win, she feels the pressure of the situation but later accepts her role as the community hero, someone they can be proud of.
Akeelah experiences intimacy versus isolation. At the beginning of the movie she feels like an outcast because she is smart and feels like her family doesn’t understand her or pay attention to her needs. She also feels isolated when her best friend is mad at her for not spending enough time with her. Akeelah resolves this when she wins the regional spelling bee which makes her neighborhood accept her. After which, her mother actually begins showing interest in her progress in the bee.
Resources
Nieto, S. (2010). The light in their eyes: Creating multicultural learning communities. (10th Anniversary ed.). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
Snowman, J., McCown, R., & Biehler, R. (2012). Psychology applied to teaching. (13 ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
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