HDFS 311 Final Exam on Infant and Child Development.

chapters 9, 10, 12, 13

What is self-regulation and why is it important in early childhood?

(➡ How do children control emotions and behaviors?)

➡ Self-regulation is the ability to manage one’s emotions, behavior, and attention. It’s crucial for learning, peer relationships, and coping with stress.

What factors influence self-regulation in children?

(➡ Consider parenting, environment, routines, and stress.)

Parenting (warm, consistent guidance), quality early education, sleep, nutrition, and stress exposure.
Example: A child in a predictable, supportive home is more likely to develop strong self-regulation.

How does poverty impact a child’s self-regulation?

(➡ Think about stress exposure, resources, and support.)

➡ Poverty increases stress, decreases access to resources, and often results in inconsistent caregiving, all of which can weaken self-regulation.

What are some outcomes that self-regulation predicts?

(➡ Consider school success, peer relationships, and mental health.)

➡ Academic success, better mental health, social competence, fewer behavior problems.

Can self-regulation be improved through interventions?

(➡ Think about effectiveness and what strategies work.)

➡ Yes! Interventions like mindfulness, social-emotional learning programs, and parent coaching have shown positive effects.

What is moral development and how do psychoanalytic and social learning theories explain it?

(➡ Think: Induction vs. modeling.)

➡ Psychoanalytic (Induction): Emphasizes internal guilt and empathy development through explanations of effects on others.

Social Learning Theory (Modeling): Children learn right and wrong by watching others and receiving reinforcement.

What is Theory of Mind?

(➡ Consider understanding others’ thoughts and feelings.)

➡ Understanding that others have thoughts, feelings, and perspectives different from your own.

Example: Knowing someone else doesn’t know what you saw in a box.

How does lying relate to Theory of Mind development?

(➡ Think about age and cognitive ability.)

➡ Lying requires understanding that others can hold false beliefs—an advanced Theory of Mind skill.

What are the effects of harsh punishment on children?

(➡ Long-term outcomes and behavioral patterns.)

➡ Increases aggression, fear, anxiety, and poor internalization of moral behavior.

What are alternatives to harsh punishment?

(➡ Positive discipline techniques.)

➡ Positive discipline: time-outs, redirection, setting clear expectations, natural consequences.

How does a child’s temperament affect discipline strategies?

(➡ Match strategies to temperament types.)

➡ Easy temperament: responds well to mild discipline.
Difficult temperament: needs more structure and patience.
Example: A slow-to-warm-up child may need extra reassurance.

What are the types of aggression in early childhood?

(➡ Distinguish between proactive and reactive aggression.)

➡ Proactive (instrumental): Goal-directed (e.g., grabbing a toy).
Reactive (hostile): Angry response to provocation.
Physical, verbal, relational aggression types also apply.

How does media violence impact child aggression?

(➡ Factors that influence effects (e.g., context, frequency).)

➡ Repeated exposure can increase aggressive thoughts and behavior, especially when violence is rewarded or realistic.

What are the four main parenting styles and their outcomes?

(➡ Authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, uninvolved.)

• Authoritative: Warm + firm → high self-esteem, social competence

• Authoritarian: Cold + strict → anxious, low self-esteem

• Permissive: Warm + no rules → impulsive, disobedient

• Uninvolved: Low warmth + low control → poor outcomes in all areas

What parenting style was shown in SuperNanny?

(➡ Identify behaviors and strategies used.)

➡ Often a mix, but commonly permissive before intervention (no structure), and SuperNanny teaches authoritative techniques (clear rules + warmth).

What could Baby Leila (7 months) do and not do?

(➡ Consider age-appropriate milestones.)

➡ Could: Sit with support, respond to name, babble
Couldn’t: Walk, talk in full words, understand complex instructions

What are key features of Piaget’s concrete operational stage?

(➡ Conservation, classification, seriation.)

➡ Logical thinking about concrete things, conservation, classification, seriation.
Example: Understanding that pouring water into a taller glass doesn’t change the amount.

What is horizontal décalage?

(➡ Think: gradual mastery of tasks.)

➡ Uneven development of related skills; kids may understand some conservation tasks before others.

What are the limitations of concrete operational thought?

(➡ Abstract and hypothetical thinking.)

➡ Difficulty with abstract or hypothetical thinking.

What are symptoms and causes of ADHD?

(➡ Look for inattention, hyperactivity, and origins.)

➡ Symptoms: Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity
Causes: Genetics, prenatal risks, brain structure/function

What treatments are most effective for ADHD?

(➡ Medications + behavioral therapy.)

➡ Combination of medication (e.g., stimulants) and behavioral therapy is most effective.

What is IQ and how is it measured?

(➡ Think about standard tests and scores.)

➡ IQ = Intelligence Quotient. Measured by standardized tests (e.g., WISC) to assess reasoning, memory, problem-solving.

What are the key parts of Sternberg’s triarchic theory?

(➡ Analytical, creative, practical intelligence.)

➡ Analytical (problem-solving), Creative (novel ideas), Practical (everyday tasks)

What are Gardner’s multiple intelligences?

(➡ List a few types like musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, etc.)

➡ Includes: Linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic.

How do Sternberg’s and Gardner’s theories differ?

(➡ Compare scope and focus.)

➡ Sternberg = 3 broad categories of ability; Gardner = 8-9 independent intelligences.
Both criticize traditional IQ tests as too narrow.

What are the categories of peer acceptance?

(➡ Popular, rejected, controversial, neglected.)

➡ Popular: Liked by many
Rejected: Disliked by most
Controversial: Mixed responses
Neglected: Not noticed
Average: In the middle
Each category predicts different social/emotional outcomes.

What child outcomes are associated with each peer acceptance type?

(➡ Consider social skills, loneliness, and adjustment.)

➡ Popular → better adjustment
Rejected → aggression or withdrawal
Neglected → may do fine but risk loneliness
Controversial → aggressive but socially skilled

What are common characteristics of bullies and victims?

(➡ Look at family background, temperament, and social environment.)

➡ Bullies: Often have high social power or family issues (e.g., coercive parenting)
Victims: Anxious, low self-esteem, isolated
Bully-victims: Both bully others and are bullied themselves—high risk group

What is school readiness, and what are examples of it?

(➡ Think about cognitive, social, and emotional skills needed for kindergarten.)

refers to the skills children need to succeed in school, including language, early math skills, emotional regulation, attention, and social skills.
Examples: Knowing colors, following directions, taking turns.