Context of Development - Notes

Context of Development

The mini lecture focuses on the context in which child development occurs, identified as a combination of several interrelated factors:
- Family
- The schools that children attend
- The broader community in which children live
- Socioeconomic status (SES)
- Culture and race, which influence access and equity to resources
These contextual factors are crucial for understanding how children develop, as they shape opportunities, experiences, and outcomes.
SES refers to the financial situation or reality of children, and it is often influenced by culture and race, which can affect access to resources and opportunities.
When thinking about people you meet (friends, romantic interests, etc.), it’s useful to consider their:
- Family background
- Schooling experiences
- Communities they’ve lived in
- Socioeconomic status and whether it has changed over time
Culture is a key component of development context.

Culture is the context of child development and is defined as the behaviors, norms, beliefs, and traditions shared by a group.
Parental ethno-theories describe how a particular cultural context shapes parenting beliefs and practices.
Parenting practices vary across different cultural groups; what is considered appropriate caregiving can differ.
Example: A friend’s family did not believe in yelling at children. Children were guided and held accountable without raised voices.
- In contrast, a grandfather from a different cultural background yelled at children in a situation where the two girls were playing in the backyard, which caused the other child to become terrified and even wet her pants.
- This anecdote illustrates how a cultural context can shape what is considered acceptable discipline and the emotional impact on children.
Despite differences in parenting norms, caregiving behavior exists across all cultures because children are born vulnerable and require care for survival.
A universal point: babies cannot survive without caregiving, so caring behaviors are essential in every culture.

Cultural context influences expectations, behaviors, and interpretations of children’s actions, but basic needs and the need for care are universal.
The idea of culture as a shaping force helps explain why parenting practices vary and why cross-cultural understanding is important in developmental psychology.

A key dimension of culture is the continuum from individualism to collectivism:
- Individualism (the "I" or the self): prioritizes the individual’s rights, freedoms, privacy, and independence.
- Collectivism (the "We" or the group): prioritizes the needs and goals of the group, family, or community over the individual.
The United States is described as leaning toward individualism (e.g., rugged individualism, personal freedoms, entitlement to privacy).
In cultures with a stronger collectivist orientation, group harmony, family obligations, and interdependence may be emphasized more than individual autonomy.
When meeting someone new, it’s useful to consider where they fall on this continuum, as it can influence values, expectations, and social interactions.
Reflecting on one’s own position on the continuum can help in understanding others and navigating cross-cultural relationships, whether platonic or romantic, and in interpreting their behaviors and priorities.

In cross-cultural contexts, avoid assuming that one parenting style is universally "correct"; instead, recognize that different cultural contexts shape parenting beliefs and practices.
When learning about someone’s background, consider:
- Family structure and dynamics
- Educational experiences
- Community context
- Socioeconomic status
- Cultural norms around child-rearing and authority
Ethical implication: show respect for diverse cultural practices and avoid imposing your own cultural norms on others.
Practical implication: understanding a person’s context can improve communication, reduce misinterpretations, and support healthy relationships.

Context of development is multi-layered, including family, school, community, SES, and culture (with race shaping access and equity).
Culture includes shared behaviors, norms, beliefs, and traditions; parental ethno-theories explain how culture affects parenting.
Caregiving is universal across cultures due to the essential need for survival; the form of caregiving varies by culture.
The individualism–collectivism continuum influences values and behavior; the US tends toward individualism.
In relationships and research, consider and respect people’s contexts and avoid ethnocentric judgments.
Reflect on your own position on the individualism–collectivism spectrum and how it may influence your interactions with others.

This concludes the mini lecture on context of development. If you have questions about how these contextual factors interact or how to interpret cross-cultural differences, feel free to ask for clarification or examples.