In
this chapter the author, David Pelzer, starts a story about a child named David
Pelzer (yes names the child his name), grade 5 and what seems to be the end of
this child’s abusive and traumatic situation at home. David wore clothes, ate
the same lunch, and was made fun of every day at school.
David
grew up in in abusive home, lived with mother and brothers. David was worried
about getting caught not washing the dishes for the moment his hands were out
of the sink. David was caught by mother, and got slapped for because “[David]
learned the hard way that she takes that as an act of defiance…” and David
continue to think “…which means more hits, or worst of all, no food” (Pelzer,
1995. P.3). Robert V. Kail and Theresa Zolner (2012), talks about information-processing
theory in their textbook Children: A
Chronological Approach. “Information-processing theorist generally agree
that mental hardware has three components: sensory memory, working memory, and
long-term memory” (Kail & Zolner, 2012. P. 159).
To
summarize: Sensory memory is taking “raw, unanalyzed” information and it is
held for a few seconds. Working memory is when the brain is constantly
processing information (such as reading this sentence) and storing and pulling
out information. Long-term memory is memory this is stored information that is
permanently stored in the brain, just like a computer. (Kail & Zolner, 2012.
P. 159-160).
In
the case of David, based on the situation at home, his sensory memory was
limited. This is clear when the school nurse hugged David “‘God,’ I tell
myself, ‘She is so warm.’ I don’t want to let go. I want to stay in her arms
forever” (Pelzer, 1995. P. 7). This was an experience David felt rarely, due to
mother did not cuddle much him as a baby, which mean the part of the brain that
develop the understanding of love and affection was underdeveloped. Dr. Bruce
Perry in his book The Boy Who was Raised
as a Dog (2006), had a similar situation where a mother (Virginia) had a
child (Laura), and live with a woman named Mama P, to understand how help
Virginia learn to love Laura, so Laura can grow physical and mentally. Dr.
Perry explains that there are two
major neural networks: one is sensory perception and second is neural network
that mediates “pleasure”. “This reward system” can be activated in a number of
ways, one of which is the relief of distress” (P. 101). David “pleasure” or “reward
system” sensory was much underdeveloped, which means when he was hugged by the
nurse his brain was feeling, and experiencing something what normally would not
be a new or unfamiliar to others.
David’s working
memory, and long-term memory have been deep scared by the abuse at home, and
constantly have to survive each day (e.g. dressing quickly, and eating fast).
David talks about his he would eat his brothers left overs, steal lunch at
school, and wear the same clothes every day. His thoughts in class are most
likely not about what is being taught, but what he has to do to get something
to eat. “Usually I’m a very good student, but for the past few months I gave on
everything in my life, including escaping my misery through my schoolwork” (Pelzer, 1995. P. 8) Also another long-term memory that scared
David, was when the school told him that they were going to call his mother.
David started to cry. “‘Please!’ I whine, “Not today! Don’t you understand, it’s
Friday?” (Pelzer,
1995. P. 8). David could be worried about a weekend of being hurt, and/or not
eating.
The
chapter ends with an officer calling David’s mother, and driving with David on
the highway. The officer turns to David and tell him, “You’re free”. David then
thinks “I’m free?” (P. 14).
David
has been told he’s free. What would a grade 5 think when he’s told he’s free?
Kevin Francis
3rd year Child and Youth Worker
Sheridan College
References:
Kail,
R. & Zolner, Z. (2013). Children: a chronological approach (3rd ed.).
Person Canada Inc.
Toronto,
Ontario. ISBN: 978-0-13-706987-3
Perry,
B. D. & Szalavitz, M. (2006). The boy who was raised as a dog and other
stories from a
child
psychiatrist’s notebook. New York, NY. eISBN: 978-0-786-72188-7