Emotion Development

Infancy

The earliest stage of human development, typically considered as the first year of life.

Primary Emotions

Basic emotions that are universal and appear in infancy, including joy, sadness, anger, surprise, and fear.

Reflexive Smile

An involuntary smile that infants display, often in response to internal stimuli.

Social Smile

A smile that is a social response, emerging around 2-3 months of age, indicating recognition of others.

Stranger Anxiety

Anxiety infants feel when approached by unfamiliar people; typically dissipates after 9 months.

Separation Protest

Distress experienced by infants when separated from primary caregivers, peaking around 15 months.

Self-conscious Emotions

Emotions that require self-awareness, such as empathy, jealousy, embarrassment, pride, shame, and guilt, emerging after 18 months.

Emotional Neglect

Failing to provide adequate love and emotional support to a child, potentially leading to developmental issues.

Nonorganic Failure to Thrive

A condition in infants resulting from lack of emotional connection, leading to growth and health issues.

Social Referencing

The process by which individuals look to others' reactions to gauge how to respond in uncertain situations.

Emotion Regulation

The ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in a controlled manner.

Cognitive Coping Strategies

Mental techniques that individuals use to deal with stress, including distraction and re-evaluation of situations.

Adolescence

The developmental period between childhood and adulthood marked by physical, emotional, and cognitive changes.

Emotional Turmoil

A state of intense emotional disruption; common during adolescence due to various internal and external pressures.

Storm and Stress

A theory describing the turbulent emotional experiences often associated with adolescence.

Frontal Lobe vs Amygdala

Comparative reference to how these brain areas influence emotional regulation; the frontal lobe is associated with rational thought, while the amygdala is associated with emotions.

Environmental Experience

The impact of surroundings and circumstances on an individual's emotional and psychological development.

First Sign of Depression Episode

An initial indication of depressive symptoms, often linked to significant life changes, such as a breakup.

Adulthood

The stage of life following adolescence, characterized by greater emotional stability and maturity.

Increased Emotional Intelligence

A heightened ability to understand, recognize, and manage one’s own emotions and those of others in adulthood.

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

A theory suggesting that as people age, they become more selective about their social interactions, prioritizing meaningful relationships.

Improved Emotional Competence

The development of skills to handle emotions effectively, more common in middle to late childhood.

Distracting Themselves

A coping mechanism where individuals shift attention away from stressors to manage emotional responses.

Stable Emotions in Older Adults

A tendency for older individuals to experience fewer negative emotions and greater emotional stability.

Fewer Negative Emotions

Refers to a trend in older adults who tend to report higher levels of positive emotions as opposed to negative ones.