Module 48: Infancy, childhood, and social developtment

Stranger anxiety

the fear of strangers that infants commonly display, beginning by about 8 months of age

Attachment

an emotional tie with another person; shown in young children by their seeking closeness to the caregiver and showing distress on separation

Critical period

an optimal period early in the life of an organism when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces normal development

Key to attchment

contact and familiraity

Imprinting

the process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period very early in life

Children Imprint?

False

Strange situation

a procedure for studying child-caregiver attachment; a child is placed in an unfamiliar environment while their caregiver leaves and then returns, and the child's reactions are observed

Secure attachment

demonstrated by infants who comfortably explore environments in the presence of their caregiver, show only temporary distress when the caregiver leaves, and find comfort in the caregiver's return

Insecure attachment

demonstrated by infants who display either a clinging, anxious attachment or an avoidant attachment that resists closeness, marked either by anxiety or by avoidance of trusting relationships.

Temperament

a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

Basic trust

according to Erik Erikson, a sense that the world is predictable and trustworthy; said to be formed during infancy by appropriate experiences with responsive caregivers

Temperament is genetically influenced

True

Avoidant attachment

attachments marked by discomfort over, or resistance to, being close to others

Self concept

all our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in answer to the question, "Who am I?"

The four main parenting styles

authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, negligent

Authoritative

parents are confrontive. They are both demanding and responsive. They exert control by setting rules, but, especially with older children, they encourage open discussion and allow exceptions

authoritarian parenting

coersive style of parenting in which parent is rigid and overly strict, showing little warmth to the child

Permissive parenting

parents are unrestraining. They make few demands, set few limits, and use little punishment.

Negligent parenting

parents are uninvolved. They are neither demanding nor responsive. They are careless, inattentive, and do not seek a close relationship with their children.