In dynamic systems theory, an “individual is viewed as a complex, multi-component system that self-organizes patterns of movement from the interaction of many subsystems… [the] motor development is considered a process of self-organization, brought about by the interaction between multiple factors” (Lloyd, 2019). The three different concepts that make up the dynamic systems theory: are attractors, self-organization, and control parameters. Each is important in their own way and contributes to the dynamic definition of multiple sub-systems in interacting together. The concept of attractors is a fallback of movement or decision that the individual is the most comfortable with. For example, when a baby is learning how to walk and when they fall, they resort back to crawling as their form of movement to get them from point A to point B. Self-organization is the adaptation of conforming to the behavior over a period of time. For example, when a baby starts having tummy time and eventually can go from being on their back to rolling over on their stomach by themselves. It does not take a motivation factor like with control parameters for them to accomplish the goal, but it does evolve over time for them to reach the end result. The last concept of dynamic systems are control parameters. “A control parameter does not control the change in behavior but rather acts as a catalyst for reorganizing behavior” (Jostad & Patnaik, n.d.). No matter what occurs between the individual and their environment, the control parameter will always remain a constant. If one component of the sub-system is altered by any degree, it would cause a shift within the whole system transitioning into new motor behavior. Control parameters is the best concept of dynamic systems theory that supports the superiority of DST in comparison to the other theories for motor development, especially with maturation theory in particular. Control parameters involve multiple sub-systems working together to achieve the task at hand and if one sub-system is off in any way it would affect the end motor behavior. The three components with control parameters that assist in a baby’s ability to progress from crawling to walking are walking surface, their motivation, and muscle strength.
The first parameter component that could affect a baby’s ability to go from their crawling period to their walking period step would be the walking surface that the child is learning their new motor behavior on. If in the beginning, the baby learns how to take their first steps on a hard surface floor like tile or wood then that would be their constant walking surface. Every time they would get up into the walking position and begin their steps the child would feel comfortable in knowing that with the hard-stable surface of tile or wood they would be able to walk. If the family moves to a new house or if the baby tries to walk in another room where the walking surface is more accepting with their weight being placed on it, for example, carpet or even a bed, there is a sub-system alteration that will change the new motor behavior of the child. Changing the walking surface that the child is comfortable walking on will eventually bring them back to what they are used to doing, back to their attractor state of crawling. With the change in the walking surface, there could be an alteration to help with a flat stable, and sturdy surface for the child to get accustomed to for progress with their walking. Besides the walking surface that has control over the child’s progression in their motor behavior, another parameter could also potentially be the child’s motivation.
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The second parameter component that could affect the baby’s ability to go from crawling stage to walking may be their lack of motivation. Just like with any task or goal that is in place if a lack of motivation is present being able to fulfill the steps needed to complete the task will be even harder to achieve. Two potential options that could help the baby overcome this obstacle could be parental encouragement and/or toy reward. there could be a reward on the other side of the room for the baby to be pushed to want in their possession. If mom or dad were on the other side encouraging the baby to come to them and clapping and acting like everything is fun and exciting on their side of the room, the baby could take that as an enticing activity and a push to make the progression to make their way to their parents. Depending on the objects or mood the child is in at that particular point would depend on whether or not a motivating factor should be involved to push them to make their motor behavior. Another component that could be counted as a control parameter that would affect a baby’s motor behavior could be their balance control.
The last parameter component that would affect the child’s ability to walk could be their muscle strength. The balance control can be affected and altered if the child is wearing shoes because it could affect their muscle strength and throw off their balance. “When toddlers are learning to walk, they should be in bare feet or a soft soled shoe as much as possible so they can feel what they touch with their feet and develop muscle strength” (Department of Health & Human Services, 2014). Stabilizing and giving the baby support with their feet since their strength is still developing will help immensely with the walking stage. Each parameter if altered or changed could result in the sub-systems producing a new motor behavior.
Dynamic systems theory is not the only theory that is discussed in an individual’s ability to progress in their motor development. Maturation theory is another. Maturation theory believes the nervous system is the most important aspect. “Biological processes influence motor development” (Lloyd, 2019). A child’s motor development would solely be based on their genetics and that is what dictates the timeline of their motor development, as well as when each milestone in their life should occur. If maturation theory was true for all motor development and was the superior outlook on all theories describing how we get through each step of motor development, then we would all experience our milestones in exactly the same time frame as one another. There would be no exceptions or alterations that could be made because the central nervous system would dictate it all. There would be no need for research on why baby A and baby B started rolling over, crawling, or talking at different ages in their life or why some babies skip a step and go straight from rolling over to walking because our biological makeup would be the only explanation. The nature versus nurture case could be applied to the difference between dynamic systems theory and maturation theory.
Dynamic systems theory is described as an overall theory that showcases every aspect that could affect an individual's motor behavior throughout their lifetime. It always remains as a constant and “focuses on the interaction between the performer and the environment” (Lloyd, 2019). The components of the walking surface, motivation, and muscle strength could all be control parameters that could shift the system and result in a new motor behavior for the child. In comparison with maturation theory, dynamic systems theory is able to explain that yes biological processes could influence motor development, but also nurture and outside aspects that the baby is surrounded around day in and day out influence the motor behavior results. Motor behavior does not involve just one system, it involves the union of multiple sub-systems working together to execute a motor behavior to its best ability.
References
- Department of Health & Human Services. (2014). Children’s feet and shoes. Retrieved October 1, 2019, from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/childrens-feet-and-shoes
- Jostad, J. & Patnaik, P. (n.d.) Dynamical systems theory. Retrieved September 30, 2019, from http://content.csbs.utah.edu/~butner/systems/DynamicalSystemsIntro.html
- Lloyd, M. (2019). Week 2 - lecture 1 human growth and motor development [Powerpoint slides] Retrieved September 30, 2019, from https://uoit.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/execute/content/file?cmd=view&content_id=_1235458_1&course_id=_41367_1
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