PSYC 202 Exam #1 - Social and Personality Development in Children

Metacognition

the ability to think about how you think

Deviant peer contagion

the process by which peers reinforce problem behavior by showing signs of approval that then increase the likelihood of future problem behavior

What contributes to risky behavior in adolescents?

• Dopaminergic system

• Development of prefrontal cortex (self-regulation and future orientation)

Antisocial behavior in childhood

“early starters”; greater risk for long-term antisocial behavior that extends into adulthood

Antisocial behavior in adolescence

“late starters”; theorized to experience poor parental monitoring and supervision

Harlow’s Monkey Experiment

• tested two theories on infant/mother relationship using baby monkeys

  • Cupboard theory: mother as food

  • Contact-comfort theory: mother as comfort

• found that baby monkeys would become more attached to comfort mother surrogate

Attachment patterns in children

• secure

• anxious-resistant

• avoidant

Difference in attachment between children and adults

• Securely attached children make friends more easily and are liked more by adults

• Securely attached adults have higher functioning relationships

Secure (C)

distressed when mother is absent and seeks her when she returns; easily comforted upon reunion

Anxious-resistant (C)

in extreme distress when mother is absent; difficult to soothe and comfort afterwards

Avoidant (C)

inconsistent response when mother is absent; would ignore mother when she returns

Anxious-resistant (A)

inconsistent with their willingness to get close

Avoidant (A)

tend to be less trusting and hyper-independent

Parenting styles

• uninvolved

• permissive

• authoritarian

• authoritative

Uninvolved

Expectations: low

Responsiveness: low

Permissive

Expectations: low

Responsiveness: high

Authoritarian

Expectations: high

Responsiveness: low

Authoritative

Expectations: high

Responsiveness: high

Temperament

• individual differences in reactivity and self-regulation between children that are largely biologically based

• the starting point of personality

Gender schemas

organized beliefs and expectations about maleness and femaleness that guide children’s thinking about gender

Stages of development

1. Childhood

2. Adolescence

3. Emerging adulthood