Social & Personality Development in Middle Childhood

These flashcards cover key concepts in social and personality development during middle childhood, including self-perception, emotional development, moral reasoning, and friendship dynamics.

Who Am I?

In middle childhood, children increasingly view themselves in terms of psychological characteristics rather than just physical attributes.

Psychosocial Development

The stage of Industry Vs. Inferiority (ages 6-12) where children seek competence and develop self-concept and self-esteem.

Self-Esteem

Global evaluations of the self, such as saying 'I am a good person,' which may not always reflect reality.

Self-Concept

Knowledge of the self that is domain-specific, e.g., 'I am an athlete.' It reflects different aspects of identity.

Social Comparison

When children evaluate their abilities against those of their peers, distinguishing themselves based on comparative traits.

Cycle of Success

A framework indicating that high self-esteem leads to increased effort and lower anxiety, resulting in actual success.

Complex Emotions

Emotions such as pride and shame that evolve during middle childhood and are less dependent on the reactions of others.

Emotion Coaching

A parenting strategy where parents are aware of and accept their own and their child's emotions, guiding children in processing emotions.

Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

A theoretical framework consisting of six stages, categorized into three levels: Pre-Conventional, Conventional, and Post-Conventional.

Friendships in Middle Childhood

Characterized by mutual trust and are often based on similarity in demographics, academics, and activities.

Damon's Stages of Friendship

Three stages of friendship development: Stage 1 (behavior), Stage 2 (qualities), and Stage 3 (intimacy and loyalty).

Common Peer Behaviors

Most-liked behaviors in friendships include humor, kindness, and sharing, while least-liked behaviors include aggression and dishonesty.

Social Problem Solving

A structured approach to resolving interpersonal conflicts, including identifying cues, evaluating responses, and selecting appropriate actions.

Family Diversity

The variety of family structures, including single-parent, blended, intergenerational, and LGBT families, each with unique impacts on child development.