Discuss the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Hypotheses Presented On Extended Childhood Development

Humans are normally unusual as their childhood is characterized by a prolonged duration of exception slower growth which is regulated by the brain. This hypothesized has thus been proposed in order to explain why childhood development has evolved the particular life history (Kazawa, 2016). However, it is characterized by different strengthens as well as weaknesses.  The hypothesis holds strength in that it provides adequate scenarios in support of the slow development in humans.  However, since the hypothesis is based on observation and literature that had prior been conducted by other individuals its accuracy can be questioned.  In addition, the observation made can be argued out as they may not be seen in every child during their development.

Chris Kazawa (2016) proposed that the brain requires more energy in development which results in slower human development.  He is thus one of the fewer researchers who dedicated much time in justifying the slow human development.   The hypothesis therefore contributes highly to the scientific forefront debate on human development and this served as empirical evidence towards the subject of development.  The hypothesis holds an additional strength in the manner in which it presents its findings clearly and well detailed to enhance better understanding of the concepts.  Through this, it is clear that fast development requires high energy that can be stored in a large brain which is not present in humans.  The hypothesis can, however, be criticized by the evolution theory which does not consider the size of the brain as the major determinant of the human growth rate.  This theory would argue that development is mainly determined by nature rather than nurturing as held by the study’s hypothesis.

Despite the fact that human development was hypothesized to be different based on the brain’s component which is lower as compared to the high energy that is required in fast development this can be termed as inaccurate.  Humans are hypothesized to have traits that are different and they may change depending on the environment.  The hypothesis, therefore, failed in demonstrating how the slow development differs from an individual to another.  It would be crucial for the hypothesis to recognize that the human development is highly influenced by genetics as well as environmental mechanisms (Kazawa, 2016).  The simplicity and systematic structure of the hypothesis presentation is an additional strength which is well supported by literature review as well as actual observation.  This helped in increasing the efficiency of the study thus decreasing the chances of arguing against the hypothesis.

The hypothesis held its strength in that it adequately supported and justified the acquiring of characteristic from one human to another which influences development.  In addition, the hypothesis stated that development is highly affected by the ability of the brain to produce energy for development as age increases (Kazawa, 2016).  The actual strength of the hypothesis is the provision of adequate evidence in support of its findings.  In addition, the produced evidence generally details the slow development of children through studying the brain as the major driver of growth.  Additionally,  the results that the brain energy peak requirements occur after the weaning phase which shows that most of the human brain growth energetic costs are not given by maternal metabolism but rather they are offered by social provisioning.

 

           

 

            Reference

Kazawa, C. (2016). Brain Energetic and the Evolution of Human Childhood. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhLTtIaUVlQ