3.6a - Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan: Infancy & Childhood

ecological systems theory

theory of the social environment’s influence on human development, uses 5 nested systems ranging from direct and indirect influences

Microsystem - Mesosystem - Exosystem - Macrosystem - Chronosystem

stranger anxiety

fear of strangers that infants commonly display (begin ~8 mo.)

attachment

an emotional tie with others; shown in young children seeking closeness to caregivers and showing distress on separation

imprinting

process by which certain animals form strong attachments during early life

ex) mama duck

strange situation

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

secure attachment

(w/ caregiver) infants comfortably explore environments

temporary distress when caregiver leaves (consolable)

comfort in caregiver’s return

insecure attachment

anxious (clinging, needs parent/validation, anxious)

avoidant (no attachment, not close with parent, equally close with stranger/caregiver, attention-seeking)

disorganized (unpredictable, inconsistent/disruptive behavior)

—>1/3 (33%) are insecure! 2/3 are secure!

temperament

person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

basic trust

sense that the world is predictable/trustworthy; said to be formed during infancy by appropriate experiences with responsive caregivers (have secure attachment) (Erik Erikson)

self-concept

all our thoughts/feelings about ourselves, “Who am I?”

Parenting styles

• Authoritative - care and rules

  • high self-esteem/self-reliance

• Authoritarian - strict

  • less social skill/self-esteem, overreact to mistakes

• Permissive - laid-back, let them do whatever

  • immature/aggressive

• Neglectful - don’t pay attention/care

  • poor academic/social outcomes

Describe the different systems of the ecological systems theory

Microsystem - friends/family/direct environment

Mesosystem - interactions of microsystems

Exosystem - Indirect (neighbors, community, media)

Macrosystem - values, geography, culture, socioeconomic status

Chronosystem - development over time, life changes, historical events, personal experiences, puberty ⌚