AP Psychology Unit 3 - Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan

Ecological Systems Theory

The theory that seeks to understand social contexts and environments.

• The individual

• Microsystem

• Mesosystem

• Exosystem

• Macrosystem

• Chronosystem

Ecological System: The Individual

This involves biological components such as genetics, age, hormones, and even microbes in our body.

Example: Hunger may affect socialization if it is too extreme → being hangry

Microsystem

This involves the people we interact with regularly. These are reciprocal relationships. These personal interactions are critical for development

Example: Family

Mesosystem

This involves witnessing other influences interact with each other

Example: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Exosystem

This involves events that don’t directly involve the individual, but still exert influences on the individual

Example: Events in the community, mass media

Macrosystem

This involves geography, culture, socioeconomic status, race, etc. These are elements that are specific to the individual during development.

Chronosystem

This involves the passage of time and major life changes

Authoritarian Parenting Style

This parenting style has low warmth and high expectations with maturity and discipline. They will likely raise children who are hard working but unhappy. They would be quick to blame others and rebel against their parents

Permissive Parenting Style

This parenting style has high warmth but little to no expectations with maturity or discipline. They may have children who react poorly to frustration and lack self control or emotional regulation

Authoritative Parenting Style

This parenting style has high warmth and moderate level of expectations and discipline. They may have the best outcome in raising children who will form functioning relationships when they are older

Parenting Style: Neglectful

This parenting style has low warmth, expectations, and communications. They may have children who are immature and lonely with poor relationship skills

Secure Attachment

Individual has a trusting relationship with caregiver, which will likely carry over to adult hood

Fearful Attachment

Individual has an inconsistency with their relationships, having it be a push and pull

Anxious Attachment

Individual may be clingy and nervous with their parent, but may also show aggression

Avoidant Attachment

Individual seems detached with little distress at being apart

Solitary Play

Playing by themselves

Onlooker Play

Watching other people play

Parallel Play

Playing near each other but not together with anyone

Cooperative Play

Playing together

Pretend Play

When children make up scenarios and act them out

Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory of Development

This is one of the first stage theories to propose changes throughout the whole life. Each stage involves a conflict that has two different outcomes, a positive and a negative. This can affect our personality

Trust vs Mistrust Stage

This is the first stage children go through from 0 to 1.5 years of age. This crisis involves learning whether or not to trust the caregiver. Will they be there for the child if they need?

Example: Think of a baby crying and needing food. Will the parent be there to feed them?

Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt Stage

This is the second stage children go through from 1.5 to 3 years of age. This crisis involves whether the child can make their own decisions or gain independence. Will they be shamed for their autonomy?

Example: Think of a toddler learning to dress themselves. Will the parent support their decision? Or will they do it for them? Or will they criticize them?

Initiative vs Guilt Stage

This is the third stage children go through from 3 to 6 years of age. This crisis involves whether the child assert themselves and have control or being able to make mistakes without criticism. Will they have control if the situation calls for it?

Example: Think of a child wanting to organize a play date with friends. Will the parent allow them? Will they be criticized if their friends can’t show up?

Industry vs Inferiority Stage

This is the fourth stage children go through from 6 to 12 years of age. This crisis involves comparing themselves to other kids. How do they compare? This can affect the child’s self esteem.

Example: Think of a child who gets picked last during PE class. They will feel inferior

Identity vs Role Confusion Stage

This is the fifth stage in which adolescents go through from 12 to 18 years of age. This crisis involves learning about their identity. Who are they? What will they become?

Example: Think of someone changing their dreams, personality, identity

Intimacy vs Isolation Stage

This is the sixth stage in which adults go through from 19 to 40 years of age. This crisis involves whether one finds connections or not. Who will you share yourself with? Will you stay alone?

Generativity vs Stagnation Stage

This is the seventh stage in which older adults go through from 40 to 65 years of age. This crisis involves whether one feels satisfied with their lives.

Ego Integrity vs Despair

This is the last stage in which the elderly go through from 65 years of age to death. This crisis involves whether they felt like they lived a meaningful life.

Identity Foreclosure

This is the identity status in James Marcia’s Theory of Identity Status where one is committed to their identity but has done no exploration to get where they are

Identity Diffusion

This is the identity status in James Marcia’s Theory of Identity Status where one is not committed to their identity and has done no exploration

Identity Moratorium

This is the identity status in James Marcia’s Theory of Identity Status where one is not committed to their identity, but are exploring it

Identity Achievement

This is the identity status in James Marcia’s Theory of Identity Status where one has gone through exploration and committed to their identity