PSYC 10 - Social and Emotional Development (Ch 6)

The Etic Approach

Focuses on universal concepts and comparisons across cultures, emphasizing objective, measurable behavior rather than subjective experiences.

The Emic Approach

Focuses on understanding behavior from within a specific cultural context, emphasizing subjective experiences and meanings.

Differential Emotions Theory

Proposes that infants are born with a small number of innate emotions, which develop into more complex emotions through interactions with their environment.

Emotions as Ontogenetic Adaptations

Suggests that emotions have developed through evolution as adaptations to improve survival and social functioning throughout a person's life.

Emotions as Socialized in Cultural Contexts

Refers to the process by which individuals learn and internalize the emotional responses and expressions deemed appropriate by their culture, shaping their social interactions and emotional well-being.

Valence

Refers to the intrinsic attractiveness or aversiveness of an emotion, indicating whether it is positive or negative.

The Still Face Method

A research technique used to study the effects of maternal unresponsiveness on child emotional development, where a caregiver maintains a neutral expression while interacting with their infant.

Mirror Neurons

brain cells that respond similarly when an individual performs an action or observes another performing the same action, playing a crucial role in understanding others' emotions and intentions.

The two forms of attachment studies

are secure attachment and insecure attachment, which influence child development and relationships

Freud’s Drive-Reduction Theory

Freud’s Drive-Reduction Theory emphasizes that individuals are driven to engage in behaviors that fulfill their basic physiological needs, creating a cycle of need and satisfaction.

Harlow’s Monkey Comfort Experiment

demonstrated the importance of comfort over food in attachment, showing that infant monkeys preferred a soft, cloth surrogate mother over a wire one that provided nourishment.

Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment

proposes that early relationships with caregivers significantly shape emotional and social development, advocating that attachment behaviors are crucial for survival.

Bowlby’s pre-attachment stage (birth to 6 weeks)

infants exhibit no specific attachment to a caregiver and respond similarly to all caregivers, showing no differentiation.

Bowlby’s Attachment in the Making Stage (6 weeks to 6-8 months)

infants begin to show a preference for familiar caregivers, developing a sense of trust but still do not exhibit separation anxiety.

Bowlby’s Clear-Cut Attachment Stage (6-8 months to 18-24 months)

infants develop strong emotional bonds with primary caregivers, experience separation anxiety, and seek comfort and support from them.

Bowlby’s Reciprocal Relationship Stage (18 to 24 months)

infants develop a deeper understanding of their caregiver's feelings and needs, allowing for more dynamic interactions and a two-way relationship.

Ainsworth’s Attachment Style

refers to the patterns of attachment that infants develop with their caregivers, typically categorized as secure, avoidant, ambivalent, or disorganized based on observed behaviors in the Strange Situation.

Long Term Implications of Attachment Style

can affect future relationships, emotional regulation, and psychological well-being throughout life. can also have small effects across generations except for disorganization.

Secondary Intersubjectivity: Social referencing for an infant

is the process by which infants look to their caregivers for cues on how to respond to unfamiliar situations, helping them to understand emotional responses and navigate social interactions and occurs when babies begin to move by themselves

Secondary Intersubjectivity: Following gaze for infants

is the ability of infants to observe and follow the direction of another person's gaze, which aids in social learning and communication and begins between 12 to 14 months.

Secondary Intersubjectivity: When do babies begin pointing?

Babies typically begin pointing at around 24 months of age as a means of communication to indicate interest or request attention from others.