3A. Define bidirectional influences as identified in the textbook.
3B. Discuss both direct and indirect influences of the family on development.
3C. How does the information in the “How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime” video illustrate the long term impact of direct and indirect influences on development?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: Exploring Bidirectional Influences in Development and the Impact of Childhood Trauma
Definition of Bidirectional Influences
Bidirectional influences refer to the reciprocal relationship between an individual and their environment, where both parties influence and are influenced by each other. This concept suggests that development is shaped by dynamic interactions between the person and their surroundings, with each exerting an impact on the other over time.
Direct and Indirect Influences of the Family on Development
Direct Influences: Direct influences of the family on development include parental guidance, discipline, emotional support, and modeling of behaviors. These interactions directly shape a child’s beliefs, values, and behaviors, influencing their development and well-being.
Indirect Influences: Indirect influences of the family on development involve factors such as socioeconomic status, family dynamics, access to resources, and community environment. These factors indirectly impact a child’s development by shaping the opportunities, stressors, and experiences they encounter within their familial and societal contexts.
Impact of Childhood Trauma on Development
The video “How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime” illustrates the long-term impact of direct and indirect influences on development. Childhood trauma, such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction, can have direct effects on a child’s emotional well-being, cognitive development, and physical health. These direct influences can lead to chronic stress, maladaptive coping strategies, and health problems that persist into adulthood.
Additionally, childhood trauma can also have indirect influences on development through its effects on family dynamics, social relationships, and access to supportive resources. Traumatic experiences within the family can disrupt attachment bonds, impair communication patterns, and create environments that perpetuate further adversity. These indirect influences can exacerbate the long-term consequences of childhood trauma on individuals’ mental and physical health outcomes.
Conclusion
Bidirectional influences highlight the dynamic nature of development, emphasizing the reciprocal relationship between individuals and their environments. Direct and indirect influences of the family play a significant role in shaping a child’s development and long-term outcomes. Understanding the complex interplay between direct interactions within the family unit and broader societal factors is crucial for addressing the lasting impact of childhood trauma on individuals’ well-being across the lifespan. By recognizing these influences and providing support and interventions at multiple levels, we can promote resilience and positive development in individuals who have experienced early adversity.
