Developmental Psychology: Chapter 12

What is the definition of Family?

• Any group of adults who are connected

What part of the econological is family apart of?

• The microsystem.

What is the Microsystem?

• Immediate environments (family, school, peers) with direct interactions.

What is the Macrosystem?

• Larger cultural, economic, and societal contexts that indirectly influence the child.

What is the family structure?

• Who makes up the family (eg. two-parent, single parent, stepfamilies, extended families) and the network of relationships among members.

How is family structure changed?

• Life events such as divorce, remarriage, death or job changes

• Changes in structure often lead to changes in family dynamics.

What are Family Dynamics?

• Refers to the interactions and relationships among family members.

What are interdependent influences on Family Dynamics?

• Relationships are dynamic; for example, a conflict between a parent and one child can ripple across the entire family system.

What are the functions and impacts of Family Dynamics?

• Family dynamics influence daily routine, rituals, and long-term functioning.

• Disruptions such as divorce can lead to changes in emotional bonds, routines, and even academic or behavioural outcomes for children

What are the core functions of the family?

• Provision of Basic Necessities: Ensuring food, clothing, and shelter to promote physical survival.

• Education and Skill Development: Teaching academic skills, social norms, problem-solving and relationship-building. Parents also model cultural values and ethics (e.g. honesty, and compassion).

• Emotional and Social: Fostering self-respect, confidence, and the development of social skills. Creating routines that provide predictability, stability, and a secure environment.

• Facilitation of Peer Relationships: Siblings and family members act as the first peer group, helping children learn sharing, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

What are some benefits of Sibling Relationships?

• Provide companionship, social support, and early opportunities to learn conflict resolution.

• Older siblings can help develop social perspective and empathy.

What are the challenges of Sibling relationships?

• Rivalry and competition can occur, primarily when parents treat siblings differently,

• “Leniency training” is when older siblings may (intentionally or not) model undesirable behaviours.

What are some Influencing Factors on sibiling relationships?

• Similarities or differences in temperament

• The quality of parental treatment (equitable treatment reduces rivalry).

What is the socialization process with parents?

• The way children learn values, behaviours, norms, and skills within their culture.

What is Direct Socialization? give an example.

• Explicit instructions (eg. “don't lie” or “be honest).

• Teaching rules and explaining their importance.

What is Indirect Socialization? give an example

• Modeling behaviour through everyday interactions and activities. (eg. how to cook a meal).

What are the four parening styles?

• Authoritative Parenting: High demandingness + High warmth: Associated with higher academic achievement, and fewer behavioural and emotional problems.

• Authoritarian Parenting: High demandingness + low warmth: Dictorial; high expectations, low emotional support.

• Permissive Parenting: Low demandingness+ High warmth: Indulgent; few expectations or boundaries; children may lack self-discipline and social regulation.

• Uninvolved/Neglectful: Low control Low warmth: Emotionally detached =, minimal involvement

What is Discipline? give examples

• Goal is to teach appropriate behaviour and promote self-regulation. (eg. Guided problem solving, reasoning, setting limits).

What is Punishment and what does research say about it?

• It involves negative consequences to reduce unwanted behavior.

• Research shows that punishment (especially physical punishment like spanking) is ineffective in the long term and linked to negative outcomes such as aggression, lower self-esteem, and anxiety.

What are the different types of Child maltreatment?

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

• Neglect is the most common form, often co-occurring with other types of maltreatment.

What are the impacts of child maltreatment?

• Maltreatment can alter brain development and immune functioning.

• Associated with long-term emotional, behavioral, and health problems.

What is the bidirectional influence in parent-child relationships mean?

• Children influence parents just as much as parents influence children.

• Factors such as temperament and behavior (e.g., ADHD, difficult temperament) affect parenting style.

• Positive and negative interaction patterns can become self-reinforcing cycles.

• Stress in the parent–child relationship can escalate if not addressed, but warm, responsive interactions can build cooperation and trust.

How has Parental age changed over time?

• Average maternal age has increased.

• Older parents are typically more financially stable and better educated.

How does Divorce affect family dynamics?

• Affects routines, finances, relationships, and mental health.

• Children are affected differently based on temperament, parental conflict, age, and access to stable routines.

• Most children adjust over time, especially when conflict is low.

How Does Same-sex parents affect family dynamics?

• Research shows children raised by same-sex parents do just as well as those raised by heterosexual parents.

• Outcomes depend on warmth, responsiveness, and parental support—not the gender of parents.

How does Maternal Employment and Childcare affect family dynamics?

• More mothers work outside the home today than in the past.

• High-quality childcare does not harm child development.

• What matters most is whether the parents are doing what they want—either working or staying home—rather than being forced into a role

What were the Social trends learned in class?

• Increase in single-parent families, delayed parenthood and stepfamilies.

• Smaller family sizes mean fewer siblings.

• More children live with grandparents ars primary caregivers.

• Family transitions (eg. Divorce, remarriage) are common.