Social Development

  • Vocabulary/People/Concepts:

    • Behaviorists: Believe that through classical conditioning, babies associate their caregivers (mom typically) with food, US=food, CS=parent, R=hunger satisfaction. Helps start research, ended up being wrong

    • Harry Harlow: Used the behaviorist perspective to research social development, did so with animals (Rhesus monkeys). Researched attachment to ‘surrogate mothers’ that were inanimate objects (dolls). These dolls offered physical comfort (cloth) or food (wire). Monkeys showed attachments to the cloth monkey over the wire monkey, as it was more physically comforting. The wire one had the food, they only left the cloth one when they needed food. This went on to demonstrate how hunger satisfaction wasn’t what formed attachments early in life, against the behaviorist approach with classical conditioning around food. Instead, it is driven by comfort

    • John Bowlby: Created attachment theory, believed caregivers provided for survival and a secure base, which provided a sense of security and allowed children to engage in exploration of their environments

    • Attachment theory: The biological predisposition to attach to caregivers, allowing for survival. A theory with stages

      • Reattachment (Birth-6 weeks): Children possess innate signals that will lead to more proximity with a future person they will be attached to. Behaviors lead to closeness, which lead to attachment development

      • Attachment-in-the-making (6 weeks-6/8 months): Beginnings of attachment, familiar caregivers are started to be treated more positively, trust starts to develop, more smiling

      • Clear-cut attachment (6/8-18/24 months): Clear attachment is demonstrated, fears may be shown if a caregiver leaves (separation anxiety or stranger fears), clinging to caregiver

      • Reciprocal relationship (18/24 months and on): There is a greater understanding of parental feelings, relationship becomes reciprocal, fears start to diminish as a child understands that their attachment figure will return

    • Internal working model: Expectations about the availability and support of attachment figures, guides all future close relationships. To Bowlby, how attachment develops demonstrates how someone may show attachment to others in attachments later in life (kind of like attachment style)

    • Erik Erickson: Neo-Freudian, psychoanalytic theorist who created psychosocial theory. Didn’t agree with Freud’s idea of sexual drives. Believed in conflict and resolution stages

    • Psychosocial theory:

      • Trust v Mistrust (Birth - 1 year): If an infant gets consistent, predictable, and warm responsive care they will develop trust in the environment and carry it into new relationships. If threatened, will carry on better. Mistrust develops if basic needs aren’t met consistently, may lead to the development of anxiety and caution around others. This stage particularly relates to attachment

      • Autonomy v Shame/Doubt (1- 3): Autonomy develops with a sense of independence, this level is referring to not needing their caregiver around for everything. There is mastery of activities like self feeding, using the bathroom, navigating spaces alone, communication via talking etc. Autonomy comes from caregiver support and the infant will feel capable. They have the age-appropriate opportunity to make choices if they need or don’t need their caregiver (assistance with the bathroom). Impulse control also develops with autonomy. Shame/doubt comes from doubt of own abilities, develops from parents who are overly critical of their infant (“You had an accident again?! When am I ever going to be able to let you use the bathroom alone…). Good positive parental guidance is necessary

      • Initiative v Guilt (3-6): Kids are developing initiative in own actions, show adventurous behavior and are eager to do new tasks, have a new sense of purposefulness. An overly strict conscience will lead to guilt over messing up, and they will be less open and adventurous to trying new things

      • Industry v Inferiority (6 - 11): Peers in school and teachers are important for social interaction and in this stage, if there is confidence in useful skills and tasks industry develops. School exposes new subjects, industry provides the ability to take on new tasks and feel capable and useful. Inferiority comes from pessimism in abilities and fear of messing up, lack of confidence. Results from negative responses from family, peers, teachers, and parents.

      • Identity v Confusion (Adolescence): Identity crisis is dealt with, questions appear around who someone is, what their personality and values are, and what they want to do in life. Long term commitments are made, which require exploration and resolution of this crisis. Two main identities include occupation and sexual identity (sadly heterosexual only, what kind of partner someone wants personality wise and if they want kids). Role confusion comes from lack of direction and self definition, or inability to overcome previous stages and resolve them. Could also come from society restricting the choices and paths someone could choose to go down. Leaves someone unprepared for the challenges of adulthood

      • Intimacy v Isolation (Early adulthood): Reflects young adult thoughts and feelings, involves making a commitment to a life long partner. If this is done, intimacy is achieved and they will be more secure and psychologically healthy throughout life. Sets the stage for later conflicts. Without a partner and commitment, someone may be lonely, self absorbed, or stuck in a state of searching for a partner.

      • Generativity v Stagnation (Middle adulthood): Generative adults think about what they are doing to shape and guide the next generation, demonstrates a commitment to society. Can be achieved through raising kids, mentoring youth, and work to accomplish larger tasks. Stagnation comes from self-centeredness, focusing on what a person can personally gain rather than what they can give

      • Integrity v Despair (Late adulthood): Integrity is a feeling of whole, complete, and satisfied with their lives. Positive impacts have been made for others, has a better psychological state. Will accept death better. Despair is the feeling of making wrong decisions in life, but lacking the time to change anything in the world. Less accepting of death, can be expressed as anger and contempt for others