3.6a Social-Emotional Development in Infancy and Childhood

Ecological systems theory

A theory of the social environment’s influence on human development, using five nested systems (microsystem; mesosystem; exosystem; macrosystem; chronosystem) ranging from direct to indirect influences

Ecological systems theory (visual)

Stranger anxiety

The fear of strangers that infants commonly display, beginning by about 8 months of age

Attachment

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

Strange situation

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

Secure attachment

Demonstrated by infants who comfortably explore environments in the presence of their caregiver, show only temporary distress when the caregiver leaves, and find comfort in the caregiver’s return

Insecure attachment

Demonstrated by infants who display either a clinging, anxious attachment or an avoidant attachment that resists closeness

Temperament

A person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

Basic trust

According to Erik Erikson, a sense that the world is predictable and trustworthy; said to be formed during infancy by appropriate experiences with responsive caregivers

Self-concept

All our thoughts and feelings about ourselves in answer to the question, “Who am I?”

Authoritarian parents

Coercive; they impose rules and expect obedience

Permissive parents

Unrestraining; they make few demands, set few limits, and use little punishment

Neglectful parents

Uninvolved; they are neither demanding nor responsive. They are careless and inattentive, and do not seek a close relationship with their children

Authoritative parents

Confrontive; they are both demanding and responsive, exerting control by setting rules, but, especially with older children, they encourage open discussion and allow exceptions