psyc2009 lec 11- Emotions, attachement and social relationships

What are the primary/basic emotions and when do they develop?

Biologically based emotions that emerge in the first 6 months: Contentment→Joy, Interest→Surprise, Distress→Sadness, Disgust, Anger, Fear.

What are self-conscious emotions and when do they emerge?

Emotions that require self-awareness, emerging after 18 months: Embarrassment, Pride, Shame, Guilt, Envy, Empathy.

What is social referencing and when does it develop?

Monitoring other’s emotional reactions to guide one’s own feelings and behaviour. Develops around 9 months of age

• Early Strategies: Moving away from upsetting events (12 months); trying to control the source of upset (18-24 months).

• Jealousy: May emerge around 9 months, but alternative explanations (temperament, preference for novelty) must be ruled out.

Emotions in childhood

• Emotional Competence: Develop patterns of emotional expression, greater understanding, and better regulation.

• Display Rules: Cultural rules learned about when and how to express emotions.

Emotions in adolescence 

• Experience more mildly negative moods due to:

  1. More negative life events.

  2. Less effective emotion regulation compared to adults.

  3. Sometimes choosing to savor negative emotions.

According to Cartensen’s research, how does emotional experience change with age?

Emotional well being increases. Older adults experience positive emotions, fleeting negative emotions and fewer emotional ups and downs

What is the positivity effect in aging?

The tendency for older adults to place more priority on and better remember positive information than negative information.

What is attachment?

A strong affectional tie that binds a person to an intimate companion

• Ethological Basis: Attachment behaviors (sucking, smiling, cooing, crying) evolved to ensure caregiving and survival. Adults are hormonally prepared (e.g., oxytocin).

What is an internal working model in attachment theory?

Cognitive representations of self and others formed from early attachment experiences that guide future social relationships

• Secure → "I am lovable."

• Insecure → "I am difficult to love."

What are the 4 phases of attachment formation?

1. Undiscriminating Social Responsiveness (0-2/3 months): Responds to anyone.

2. Discriminating Social Responsiveness (2/3 - 6/7 months): Prefers familiar caregivers.

3. True Attachment (6/7 months - 3 years): Clear attachment to primary figure(s); seeks proximity. Develops separation anxiety (peaks 14-18 months) and stranger anxiety (peaks ~1 year).

4. Goal-Corrected Partnership (3+ years): Takes parent's goals and plans into account.

what is the difference between separation anxiety and stranger anxiety?

• Separation anxiety: Distress when separated from attachment figure (peaks 14-18 months)

• Stranger anxiety: Wariness of unfamiliar people (peaks around 1 year)

What is the strange situation and what does it measure?

A standardized procedure developed by Ainsworth to measure the quality of infant-parent attachment through separations and reunions.

Describe the 4 attachment classifications from the strange situation

• Secure (60%): Distressed by separation, seeks comfort upon reunion

• Resistant (10%: Clingy, angry upon reunion

• Avoidant (15%): Ignores parent, avoids upon reunion

• Disorganized (15%): Confused, contradictory behaviors

What parenting behavior is most strongly associated with secure attachment?

Sensitive and responsive caregiving- accurately reading and promptly responding to the infant’s signals

What is contact comfort and why is it important?

The pleasurable tactile sensations provided by soft, cuddly contact. More important for attachment than feeding (Harlow's monkey studies)

How does culture influence attachment practices?

Individualistic cultures emphasize independence; collectivistic cultures emphasize closeness and obedience. Alloparenting (multiple caregivers) is common in many cultures.

What are 3 long term benefits of secure attachment in infancy?

1. Better intellectual and social competence in childhood

2. Better emotion regulation skills

3. More positive peer and romantic relationships across lifespan

What is the most important factor in determining whether day care affects attachment?

The quality of parenting is much more influential than whether a child attends day care.

What happens to infants in deprived institutional care?

They show poor growth, medical problems and delays in physical, cognitive and social emotional development

What are Parten's six categories of play from least to most social?

Unoccupied → Solitary → Onlooker → Parallel → Associative → Cooperative

What is the difference between popular, rejected, neglected and controversial sociometric status?

• Popular: Well-liked by most

• Rejected: Actively disliked

• Neglected: Neither liked nor disliked (invisible)

• Controversial: Both liked and disliked by many

Why is having at least one friend important, even for rejected children?

Having a reciprocated friendship increases odds of happiness and social competence, regardless of overall peer status.

What is the difference between sociometric popularity and perceived popularity?

• Sociometric: Being liked by peers

• Perceived: Having status, power, and visibility in the peer group

Describe Dunphy’s 5 stages of peer group development in adolescence

1. Same-sex cliques

2. Cliques interact

3. Mixed-sex cliques form

4. Crowds form

5. Couples form, crowds dissolve

How do adolescent friendships differ from childhood friendships?

They are based on more intimacy, loyalty and self disclosure rather than just shared activities.

What are the 3 components of Sternberg’s triangular theory of love

Passion (excitement, attraction), Intimacy (closeness, trust), Commitment (decision to maintain relationship)

What is homogamy in mate selection?

The tendency to choose partners who are similar to ourselves in characteristics such as age, education, values

According to evolutionary perspectives, what do men and women universally prefer in mates?

Men prefer youth and attractiveness; women prefer resources and status (both value kindness, intelligence, health).

What are the four adult attachment styles and their characteristics?

• Secure: Low anxiety, low avoidance

• Preoccupied: High anxiety, low avoidance

• Dismissing: Low anxiety, high avoidance

• Fearful: High anxiety, high avoidance

What is a confidant and why is it important in adulthood?

A spouse, relative, or friend to whom one feels especially attached. Crucial for life satisfaction, health, and longevity.

What is the social convoy model?

The idea that we are accompanied through life by a changing social network and support system

How dd social networks change with age?

They become smaller and more focused on close, emotionally meaningful relationships (as per socioemotional selectivity theory)

Dating

• Increases through adolescence (29% in 8th grade to 51% in 12th grade).

• Evolves through four phases: Initiation, Status, Affection, Bonding.

• Generally has more positive than negative effects on development.