Unit 3.6: Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan

Ecological systems theory

Theory that development is influenced by different environmental systems.

Microsystem

Immediate environments like family, school, and peers.

Mesosystem

Interactions between parts of a person’s microsystem (like parents and teachers).

Exosystem

Settings that affect a person indirectly, such as a parent’s workplace.

Macrosystem

Cultural values, laws, customs, and beliefs.

Chronosystem

Life changes and historical events that affect development over time.

Authoritarian parenting

Strict parenting with high rules and low warmth.

Authoritative parenting

Firm but warm parenting that encourages independence.

Permissive parenting

Lenient parenting with few rules and high warmth.

Attachment styles

Patterns of emotional bonds between infants and caregivers.

Secure attachment

Child feels safe exploring and is comforted when caregiver returns.

Insecure attachment

Attachment where the child feels uncertain about caregiver support.

Avoidant attachment

Child avoids caregiver and shows little emotion.

Anxious attachment

Child is very distressed when caregiver leaves and not easily comforted.

Disorganized attachment

Confused or fearful behavior toward caregiver.

Temperament

A child’s natural emotional and behavioral style.

Separation anxiety

Fear or distress when separated from a caregiver.

Contact comfort

The need for physical touch as a source of comfort.

Parallel play

Children play near each other but not together.

Pretend play

Play where children use imagination and role-play.

Imaginary audience

Belief that others are constantly watching and judging you.

Personal fable

Belief that one’s experiences are unique and special.

Social clock

Cultural expectations for when life events should happen.

Emerging adulthood

Period from late teens to mid-20s focused on exploration.

Stage theory of psychosocial development (Erikson)

Theory that personality develops through eight life stages.

Trust and mistrust

Infants learn whether the world is safe and reliable.

Autonomy and shame and doubt

Toddlers learn independence or feel shame.

Initiative and guilt

Children learn to take initiative or feel guilty.

Industry and inferiority

Children compare themselves to others in skills and abilities.

Identity and role confusion

Adolescents explore who they are and their future roles.

Intimacy and isolation

Young adults form close relationships or feel lonely.

Generativity and stagnation

Adults focus on contributing to society or feel unproductive.

Integrity and despair

Older adults reflect on life with satisfaction or regret.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Stressful or traumatic childhood events that affect later health.

Achievement (adolescent development)

Strong commitment to an identity after exploration.

Diffusion (adolescent development)

No clear identity or exploration.

Foreclosure (adolescent development)

Identity chosen without exploration.

Moratorium (adolescent development)

Active exploration of identity without commitment.

Racial/ethnic identity

Sense of belonging to a racial or ethnic group.

Sexual orientation

Pattern of romantic or sexual attraction.

Religious identity

Beliefs and values related to religion or spirituality.

Occupational identity

Sense of career goals and work interests.

Familial identity

Sense of role and connection within a family.

Possible selves

Ideas about who you might become in the future.