3.6 Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan

Flashcards

Ecological systems theory

The theory that people encounter different environments throughout their lifespan that may influence behavior in varying degrees.

Microsystem

An individual's immediate environment which includes the people the person interacts with daily, having the most direct impact on the individual.

Mesosystem

A connection of two or more microsystems, such as a child's home and school.

Exosystem

Environments in which an individual is not an active participant, yet these still impact the person's development.

Macrosystem

The collection of broad systems that surround an individual, such as cultural values, laws, and social customs.

Chronosystem

All of the experiences a person has had during their lifetime, including environmental events, major life transitions, and historical events.

Authoritarian parenting

A style of parenting in which a parent is rigid and overly strict, showing little warmth to the child.

Authoritative parenting

A style of parenting characterized by emotional warmth, high standards for behavior, explanation and consistent enforcement of rules, and inclusion of children in decision making.

Permissive parenting

A style of parenting in which few, if any, demands are made on a child's behavior.

Attachment styles

A theory about the early bonds between infants and their parents/caregivers with the idea that babies need to form a close relationship with at least one primary caregiver to ensure their survival.

Secure attachment

A relationship in which an infant obtains both comfort and confidence from the presence of his or her caregiver.

Insecure attachment

Characterized by lack of trust, such as avoiding contact with the caregiver, or by alternating between approach and avoidance behaviors.

Avoidant attachment

Characterized by physical and emotional independence from a caregiver; results from a caregiver who does not show nurturing other than providing necessities.

Anxious attachment

Characterized by insecurity, fear of abandonment, and mistrust; results from a caregiver who fails to give attention and show affection.

Disorganized attachment

Characterized by conflicting feelings of wanting to be cared for while being intensely afraid of such a relationship.

Separation anxiety

Excessive fear or distress about separation from a caregiver.

Temperament

An individual's basic emotional style that appears early in development and is largely genetic in origin.

Parallel play

Activity in which children play side by side with similar toys without interacting.

Imaginary audience

A common adolescent belief that they are under constant, close observation by peers, family, and even strangers.

Personal fable

A common adolescent belief that they are unique, so none of life's dangers or difficulties will affect them regardless of their behavior.

Social clock

The cultural timeline set by a society on what should happen at given stages of life.

Emerging adulthood

A period from about age 18 to 25 when adolescents gradually rely less on parents and develop adult-level commitments.

Stage theory of psychosocial development

Erikson's theory that personality is shaped in a sequence of eight stages that occur over time.

Trust vs. mistrust stage

The period during which infants develop a sense of trust or mistrust, largely depending on how well their needs are met by their caregivers.

Autonomy vs. shame & doubt stage

The period during which toddlers develop independence and autonomy if allowed freedom, or shame and self-doubt if overprotected.

Initiative vs. guilt stage

The period during which children experience conflict between independent actions and the sometimes negative results of their actions.

Industry vs. inferiority stage

The period from age 6 to 12 when children develop confidence in their efforts.

Identity vs. role confusion stage

A period when adolescents explore their independence and develop a sense of self.

Intimacy vs. isolation stage

A period during early adulthood when individuals engage with the challenges of close relationships.

Generativity vs. stagnation stage

A time of adulthood when individuals engage with challenges of making a positive contribution while dealing with a lack of purpose.

Integrity vs. despair stage

When older individuals reflect on their life and either come away with fulfilment or regret.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

Traumatic childhood experiences linked to mental and physical health problems later in life.

Achievement

The status of adolescents who commit to a particular identity following a period of crisis.

Diffusion

When an adolescent has not yet developed a firm identity and their identity is in a state of crisis.

Foreclosure

When an adolescent has not explored other identities but is committed to one or more choices.

Moratorium

When an adolescent is actively exploring their identity but has yet to make a commitment.

Racial/ethnic identity

The sense of membership in a racial or ethnic group and associated feelings.

Sexual orientation

A person's sexual identity in relation to the gender to which they are attracted.

Religious identity

The sense of group membership in a religion and its significance concerning one's self-concept.

Occupational identity

The conscious awareness of oneself as a worker and feelings about the occupation.

Familial identity

A sense of group membership in a family and its importance regarding one's self-concept.

Possible selves

Individuals' ideas of what they might become, what they would like to become, and what they fear becoming.

Pretend play

Make-believe activities where children create new symbolic relations.

Egocentrism

In Piaget's theory, the preoperational child's difficulty in taking another's point of view.