2012-6 Emotional and Personality Development in Early Childhood

Erikson's Initiative vs. Guilt Stage

Children explore their independence and take initiative but may feel guilt if criticized.

Healthy development

Involves balancing initiative with self-control.

Self-Understanding

Young children describe themselves in physical terms and activities.

Psychological traits in self-descriptions

By age 4-5, children start using psychological traits like 'I'm happy'.

Unrealistically positive self-descriptions

Children do not yet distinguish between desired and actual competence.

Understanding Others

Children develop theory of mind, recognizing others' emotions and desires.

Describing others using traits

By age 4-5, children describe others using traits like 'My teacher is nice'.

Learning about deception

Children learn that people may lie to avoid trouble.

Self-conscious emotions

Emotions such as pride, guilt, and shame emerge around 18 months.

Parents' emotional responses

Shape children's emotional expression.

Labeling emotions

Children learn to label emotions and understand their causes.

Realizing different emotions

By age 4-5, children realize the same event can evoke different emotions in different people.

Regulating Emotions

Crucial for social competence and self-control.

Emotion-coaching parents

Parents who validate and discuss emotions raise more emotionally adjusted children.

Emotion-dismissing parents

Parents who ignore or deny emotions may lead to poor emotional regulation.

Poor emotion regulation

Linked to peer rejection and behavioral problems.

Moral Feelings

Freud emphasized guilt as a motivator for moral behavior.

Empathy

Understanding others' feelings is key to moral growth.

Heteronomous morality

Piaget's stage for ages 4-7 where rules are fixed and consequences determine morality.

Autonomous morality

Piaget's stage for ages 10+ where intentions matter and rules are flexible.

Moral Behavior

Shaped by reinforcement, punishment, and imitation.

Self-regulation

Delaying gratification is crucial for moral behavior.

Social Role Theory

Gender differences stem from societal roles.

Social Cognitive Theory

Children learn gender roles through observation, rewards, and punishment.

Parental and Peer Influence

Parents model gender roles; peers reinforce gender-appropriate behavior.

Gender Schema Theory

Children form mental frameworks (schemas) for gender-appropriate behavior.

Authoritative Parenting

Warm but firm parenting style leading to the best outcomes (happy, self-reliant children).

Authoritarian Parenting

Strict, punitive parenting style resulting in lower self-esteem and aggression.

Neglectful Parenting

Uninvolved parenting style associated with poor social skills and emotional issues.

Indulgent Parenting

Lenient parenting style leading to spoiled and impulsive behavior.

Corporal Punishment

Spanking linked to aggression, lower self-esteem, and mental health issues.

Child Maltreatment

Includes physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.

Effects of Child Maltreatment

Can lead to depression, aggression, poor school performance, and long-term health issues.

Prevention of Child Maltreatment

Involves parent education, social support, and early intervention.

Sibling Relationships

Siblings provide emotional support, conflict, and social learning.

Birth Order Myths

Firstborns may be more achievement-oriented, but effects are small.

Working Parents

Quality of parenting matters more than employment status.

Divorce Effects

Can lead to adjustment problems (anxiety, aggression) depending on parental conflict and support.

Gay/Lesbian Parents

Children develop similarly to those with heterosexual parents.

Cultural/Ethnic Differences in Parenting

Parenting styles vary, e.g., Asian families emphasize respect and obedience.

Peer Relations

Peers provide social comparison, feedback, and friendship.

Effects of Poor Peer Relations

Can lead to loneliness, depression, and aggression.

Functions of Play

Includes emotional release, cognitive development, and creativity.

Types of Play

Includes Sensorimotor/Practice Play (infants), Symbolic Play (ages 2-6), Social Play, and Constructive Play.

Decline in Play

Reduced free play harms creativity and problem-solving.

Concerns of Media/Screen Time

Includes less physical activity, poor sleep, aggression, and obesity.

Benefits of Educational Shows

Some shows (e.g., Sesame Street) improve learning.

Parental Role in Screen Time

Monitoring screen time improves outcomes.

Self-Concept in Young Children

Defined physically and through activities.

Parental Influence on Emotions

Parents shape emotional understanding; regulation is key for social success.

Morality Development

Children shift from rule-based to intent-based judgments.

Influences on Gender Roles

Influenced by biology, parents, peers, and culture.

Best Parenting Style

Authoritative parenting leads to the best outcomes.

Play and Media Risks

Excessive screen time has risks.