Social

Social Development – Changes in relationships, emotions, and social skills throughout life.

Social Clock – Cultural norms about the timing of life events, like marriage or retirement.

Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development – A theory of eight stages in life, each with its own psychosocial challenge.

Trust vs. Mistrust – The stage where infants (0-1 year) develop trust if their needs are met.

Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt – The stage where toddlers (1-3 years) learn independence or doubt their abilities.

Initiative vs. Guilt – The stage where preschoolers (3-6 years) develop initiative or feel guilt for their actions.

Industry vs. Inferiority – The stage where school-age children (6-12 years) develop competence or feel inferior.

Identity vs. Role Confusion – The stage where adolescents (12-18 years) explore their identity or feel confused about their role in life.

Intimacy vs. Isolation – The stage where young adults (20s-40s) form close relationships or feel isolated.

Generativity vs. Stagnation – The stage where middle-aged adults (40s-60s) focus on contributing to society or feel a lack of purpose.

Integrity vs. Despair – The stage where older adults (60s+) reflect on life with satisfaction or regret.

Attachment – A strong emotional bond between a child and caregiver.

Imprinting – A rapid learning process in young animals during a critical period, leading to attachment.

Harlow’s Monkey Experiments – Studies showing that infant monkeys prefer comfort (cloth mother) over nourishment (wire mother).

Critical Period – A specific time in development when certain experiences are essential for proper growth.

Temperament – A person’s inborn traits, such as emotional reactivity and intensity.

Mary Ainsworth’s “Strange Situation” – A study assessing attachment by observing a child’s reaction when a caregiver leaves and returns.

Secure Attachment – When a child feels safe and seeks comfort from the caregiver.

Avoidant Attachment – When a child avoids the caregiver and shows little distress upon separation.

Anxious/Ambivalent Attachment – When a child is clingy and has difficulty being comforted.

Stranger Anxiety – Fear of strangers, typically seen in infants around 8 months.

Separation Anxiety – Distress when a child is separated from their caregiver.

Authoritarian Parenting Style – A strict parenting style with high demands and little warmth.

Permissive Parenting Style – A lenient parenting style with few rules and high warmth.

Authoritative Parenting Style – A balanced parenting style with high demands and high warmth.