Social Development in Infancy

Flashcards focusing on vocabulary related to social and emotional development in infancy, highlighting key concepts and theories.

Attachment

An enduring emotional bond developing between a child and a special caregiver or network of caregivers.

Discrete Emotions Theory

A theory suggesting that basic emotions are products of evolutionary history and have adaptive value.

Functionalist Perspective

Perspective focusing on how emotions promote behaviors towards achieving goals and adapt to environmental influences.

Rudimentary Smile

A basic smile appearing at birth, linked to biological changes like a full stomach or soothing stimuli.

Social Smile

A smile that occurs by age 3 months, indicating sharing positive affect with companions.

Separation Anxiety

A fearful reaction displayed by infants when separated from caregivers, peaking at 14-18 months.

Stranger Anxiety

A wary reaction infants display when approached by unfamiliar persons, peaking at 8-10 months.

Imprinting

The process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period, as studied by Konrad Lorenz.

Secure Attachment

A style where infants actively explore while alone with the mother and seek comfort upon her return.

Avoidant Attachment

A style where infants show little distress during separation and actively ignore the mother upon her return.

Disorganized Attachment

A style where infants may act fearfully or appear confused when reunited with the mother.

Goodness of Fit

The compatibility between a child's temperament and parenting style.

Reactive Attachment Disorder

A condition where a child fails to establish healthy attachments, often linked to severe social deprivation.

Temperament

Constitutionally based individual differences in emotional and behavioral responses.

Self-Concept

The awareness of one's individual existence separate from others.

Joint Attention

A shared focus between an infant and an adult on an object or event, evident by 9-12 months.

Self-Recognition

The recognition of oneself as an individual, typically tested with the 'rouge test' around 15-17 months.