Harry Potter Psychosocial Development

Adolescence is an interesting age filled with new experiences, emotions, and developments in all areas of a young person 's life. In the film series, Harry Potter, the young adolescent Harry Potter is no stranger to these complex developmental issues. In fact, there are many theories that can help categorize the many changes and behaviors Harry Potter presents throughout the film. The first theory, researched by Diane Baumrind, which is important to look at deals not directly with Harry Potter, but with the parenting style of his aunt and uncle. After this discussion, a conversation about Erikson 's eight stages of psychosocial development is important in determining how his past influences his present actions and behaviors. This directly leads

Next, a discussion of Piaget 's stages of cognitive development can help the audience analyze Harry 's behaviors and way of thinking about complex situations throughout the movie. Similarly, Vygotsky 's sociocultural perspective of engaging with more experienced adults, as Harry and Dumbledore do which would also lead into a discussion of Vygotsky 's idea of scaffolding and constructivism. Lastly, an examination of Bronfenbrenner 's bioecological model of human development can help bring all of these systems together. By examining all of these theories, one can gain an interesting insight into the development of the beloved adolescent character, Harry

With this in mind, a complex discussion of each theory can give one keen insight into the development of the young Harry Potter. Firstly, Diane Baumrind 's theory of the different types of parenting styles is an interesting discussion to have because of Harry 's upbringing with his aunt and uncle. Diane identified four different types of parenting styles in her work: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved. Harry 's aunt and uncle would most likely be characterized as the authoritarian parenting style. Authoritarian parents, "seem cold and controlling in their interactions with their children. The children are expected to be mature and to do what the parent says, 'Because I said so! ' There is not much talk about emotions" (Hoffman, 2001). Harry 's aunt and uncle definitely fit this description. They are cold and curt to Harry but show warmth and nurturing behavior towards their maternal son, which highlights this difference. Similarly, the two are extremely controlling with Harry, controlling everything he says and does, but are extremely permissive with their son in terms of behavior; Dudley, Harry 's cousin, gets away with whatever he wants. Harry is also meant to be mature, another indicator of this type of parenting style. He is supposed to cook meals for the family, as indicated by one scene in the beginning of the movie where his uncle yells at Harry for not