Developmental psychology

Erikson's Psychosocial Theory

A developmental model that outlines eight stages of psychosocial development, each characterized by a specific conflict that must be resolved.

Epigenetic Principle

The concept that development unfolds in stages, influenced by interactions with the environment and experiences throughout life.

Stage 1 - Basic Trust vs basic mistrust

occurring from birth to 2 years, where the strength developed is hope, and maladjustment can lead to withdrawal.

Stage 2 - Autonomy vs shame and out

ages 2 to 3 years, focusing on developing control and will, with maladjustment leading to compulsion.

Stage 3 - Initiative vs guilt

ages 3 to 5 years, where children develop a sense of purpose, with maladjustment resulting in inhibition.

Stage 4 - Industry vs inferiority

ages 6 to 12 years, emphasizing competence and confidence, with maladjustment leading to inertia.

Stage 5 - Identity vs identity confusion

ages 12 to 18 years, where fidelity is developed, and maladjustment can lead to identity confusion.

Stage 6 - Intimacy vs isolation

ages 18 to 45 years, focusing on love and connection, with maladjustment leading to isolation.

Stage 7 - Generativity vs stagnation

ages 45 to 70 years, where care is emphasized, and maladjustment can lead to stagnation.

Stage 8 - Integrity vs despair

ages 70 to 85 years, focusing on wisdom, with maladjustment leading to despair.

Stage 9 - Transformation

A proposed ninth stage for individuals aged 85 and older, focusing on wisdom and despair, though not officially recognized. losing interest in things you enjoy, retract from life and care whats happening next instead

Prenatal Development

The period of development from conception to birth, characterized by rapid growth and environmental influences.

Teratogens

Environmental agents that can cause harm to a developing embryo or fetus, with effects varying based on timing and exposure. ex- any disease, drug

Child's Temperament

Inborn patterns of behavior that influence how a child interacts with the world, categorized into easy, difficult, and slow-to-warm types.

certain patterns in ones behavior / how they view the world 

Temperament is hardwired

The environment changes us, ex- might not want to do a presentation but we can it just won’t feel natural 

inborn tendencies

Easy temperament

• emotional positive, predictable sleeping/ eating habits, very happy child 

• Regular 

• Approaching 

• Adaptable 

• Mild 

• High in intensity 

• High mood 

Slow to Warm Temperament

• Characteristics: Observant, calm, may require extra time to adjust to new situations.

• Behavior: Often hesitant in new environments but can become more comfortable with time.

• Comparison: Contrasts with active temperaments, which are more adaptable and energetic.

Difficult Temperament

• Difficult (challenging)- hard to take care of adapts slowly to change, unpredictable sleeping habits, sensitive, not very happy

• Irregular 

• Low in approach 

• Withdrawals from novelty

• Slow to adapt

• Intense 

• Display much negative mood

• These are traits and characteristics  

Parenting Styles

Different approaches to parenting that affect child development, including authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved styles.

Authoritarian style

parent says its my way or the highway don’t wanna play by my rules find somewhere else to live, whatever is for dinner you eat it or you starve, they think its in the best interest of the child, they provide basic needs still but do it with an attitude, and author all the decisions, author all the decisions of the family and don’t want input from the child, they instill in kids that their above them (hierarchy), 

Authoritative

* preferred parenting style for children

high in warm this parent is kind warmth sensitive observing loving but also high in control 

Lets the kids to say what they wants emotions/wants/needs are communicated parent is the parent but still acknowledges kids wanting to go on vacation 

Honest style, kids get treated with respect, children are protected within family and outside the family, teach children negating skills, their voice matters, they can have a conflicting views on things and still be cared about and respected, parent stays in charge of the situation 

Permissive

where parents are warm and nurturing, but have few rules and low expectations for their children. Permissive parents often try to act as friends to their children, and let them make their own decisions. 

uninvolved

not asking about their friends or their lives don’t know much for them you don’t have many rules and expectations

Kids needs rules these rules for this parent can be too much for the age or don’t hav any 

They don’t care as long as their not being bothered 

Effects: substance abuse, rebelliousness, deliquency( vandalism, assault, rape, petty theft)

Lower cognitive and emotional empathy, diminished self-esteem 

They usually get in trouble in school and with the law, get into bad friendships and relationships

Goodness of Fit

The compatibility between a child's temperament and their environment, influencing their development and behavior.

Poor Goodness of fit

when we dont fit into our environment Ex- mother is depressed, it doesn’t and will not fit any temperaments : poorness of fit 

Attachment Styles

Distinctive ways of relating to others based on early attachment experiences, affecting emotional bonds and relationships.  

definition 2 -a bond or loving bond between two people , long enduring emotional tie to a specific person 

ex- securely attached infant and then trauma hits in childhood that bond can be affected and turn into something insecure and can change our attachment style 

Disorganized Attachment

A type of insecure attachment characterized by confusion and apprehension in relationships, often leading to difficulties later in life.

Bowlby's Four Stages of Attachment

A framework outlining the progression of attachment behaviors in infants, from indiscriminate responses to goal-corrected partnerships. We have to attach to someone in the first 6 months of life.We are hardwired to connect 

Bowlbys: First stage- Indiscriminent social responses

1-2 months baby develops the cry, they help signal adults that they need help 

In the first couple of months the kid will go to anybody 

Bowlbys:Stage 2- discriminating social ability 

They know who’s who (mom,dad), 2-7 months 

This discriminating social ability we have to attached to someone body by this time and stage 

Bowlbys: Stage 3- attachments

7-24 months of age (6 or 7 months)

The kids don’t want you to leave they got use to you and like having you around 

Putting a child in good daycare if the care is good it doesn’t negatively affect the development

When kids pitch a fit its actually a good thing because they have a secure attachment, a fit of protest is a good thing because it means they are attached 

They miss their caregiver, specific love for a specific person 

Bowlbys: Fourth stage- Goal corrected partnerships 

Beginning of the 3rd after the third birthday,  36 months and on 

Kids take their parents needs into account and let them have a break occasionally 

They can now recognize parents have other activities and that they must wait they can wait a couple minutes but not hours

Sometimes they’ll be like ill wait to get something to eat

They can now access the caregiver because they can walk and talk so if there hurt they’ll go to their main caregiver

Attachment is a process 

Ainsworth's Strange Situation

An experimental procedure to assess attachment styles in infants by observing their reactions to separation and reunion with their caregiver.

experiment: their main caregiver and them enter a room with toys and seats then stranger brought in to see how a child would react the child starts to cry and wants their mother to, what reaction does the baby have when the mom returns , Does the child accept the mother when she returns or rejects her, this is done twice

Ainsworth's Strange Situation: results

They might want to be held to reconnect that attachment (reengagement process)

Parents are not viewed as secure bases, angrily rejecting comfort 

Insecure resisted- rejecting parents 

Insecure resilient- they want to be helped but they don’t want it from you they’re sure 

Insecure avoidant- kids avoids there parents 

If anything is called insecure its the non-proffered style 

Important group: unusual small 4th group of infants 

Disoriented or disorganized 

They appear confuse and apprehensive when they approach their parents 

Serious trouble relationship later on in the future 

Secure base

they see the parent as an attachment figure as secure they can stop feeling anxious (preferred attachment style)