Final answer:
Genie's behavior, such as the use of infantile noises and a 'bunny-like' walk, suggests that she was in the preparatory stage of Mead's theory. Her neglect hindered her from advancing to further stages like the play stage and having a 'self'. Her case emphasizes the importance of social interactions in development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Mead's Theory of Development
When Genie was found at the age of 13, her behavior suggested that she was still in the preparatory stage of George Herbert Mead's theory of development of the self. In this stage, children are only capable of imitation, without the ability to imagine how others see things. They mimic the actions of those around them but do not yet take on roles or see themselves from the perspective of others. Considering Genie's upbringing, without social interaction and access to an environment conducive to developmental milestones, she displayed behaviors, such as making infantile noises and having a 'bunny-like' walk, which are indicative of developmental delay in the preparatory stage.
Genie's case highlights the importance of social interaction in the development of the self, as theorized by Mead. Her lack of exposure to a nurturing social environment impeded her ability to progress through the typical stages of development, which would normally include the play stage and eventually, understanding the generalized other. This is crucial for the formation of a 'self' as per Mead's theory.
After being removed from her abusive environment, Genie's abilities, like language acquisition, improved but never reached the level expected for her age, which may have been due to missing the critical period for language development. This reinforces the significance of the social aspects in the learning and developmental process.