LIFE-SPAN DEVELOPMENT 10 A Topical Approach to LIFE-SPAN DEVELOPMENT Emotional Development John W. Santrock

Exploring Emotions What Are Emotions? Feeling or affect in a state or interaction characterized by Behavioral expression Conscious experience Physiological arousal Positive and negative expressions

What Are Emotions? Facial expressions of basic emotions Exploring Emotions What Are Emotions? Facial expressions of basic emotions Biological nature; same across cultures When, where, and how to express emotions are not culturally universal Biological roots…but shaped by culture and relationships

Development of Emotion Emotional Regulation Effectively managing arousal to adapt and reach a goal Involves state of alertness or activation States can be too high for effective functioning

Developing Emotional Regulation Exploring Emotions Developing Emotional Regulation As one ages or matures: Regulation shifts from external sources to internal resources Cognitive strategies for regulation and ability to shift focus increase Ability to effectively cope with stress increases Develop greater capacity to modulate emotional arousal More adept with age at selecting and managing situations, relationships

Emotional Competence Skills Exploring Emotions Emotional Competence Skills Being aware of own emotional states and those of others Using appropriate emotional vocabulary Having empathic and sympathetic sensitivity to others’ experiences Seeing self as feeling like one wants to feel Understanding inner emotional states and outer expressions may not correspond Adaptively coping with negative emotions Being aware that emotional expression plays major role in relationships

Development of Emotion Early emotions Present in humans and other animals Appear in first six months of life Surprise, joy, anger, sadness, fear, and disgust Self-conscious emotions Appear in first 18 months to 2 years Acquire and use society’s standards and rules Empathy, jealousy, and embarrassment

Infant Crying Basic cry Anger cry Pain cry Development of Emotion Infant Crying Basic cry Rhythmic pattern usually consisting of cry, briefer silence, shorter inspiratory whistle, and brief rest Anger cry Similar to basic cry, linked to exasperation or rage, with more excess air forced through vocal chords Pain cry Sudden appearance of loud crying, no preliminary moaning; stimulated by high-intensity stimulus

Infant Smiling Reflexive smile Social smile Development of Emotion Infant Smiling Reflexive smile Does not occur in response to external stimuli Occurs during first month after birth, usually during sleep Social smile Response to external stimulus Occurs about 2 or 3 months of age Typically in response to a face

Fear First appears about 6 mos.; peaks at 18 mos. Development of Emotion Fear First appears about 6 mos.; peaks at 18 mos. Stranger anxiety — infant’s fear and wariness of strangers; intense between 9 and 12 mos. Affected by social context, stranger’s characteristics Individual variations Separation protest — crying when caregiver leaves; peaks about 15 months of age

Early Childhood Young children experience many emotions Development of Emotion Early Childhood Young children experience many emotions Self-Conscious Emotions Pride, shame, embarrassment, and guilt First appear about age 18 months Ability to reflect on emotions increases with age

Developmental Changes In Emotions During Middle and Late Childhood Development of Emotion Developmental Changes In Emotions During Middle and Late Childhood Increased emotional understanding Increased tendency to take fuller account of events leading to emotional reactions Develops capacity for genuine empathy Marked improvements in ability to suppress or conceal negative emotional reactions Use of self-initiated strategies for redirecting feelings

Coping with Stress Recommendations Reassure children of safety and security Allow retelling and discussion of events Encourage discussion of feelings Help children make sense of events

Adolescence Time of emotional turmoil but not constantly Development of Emotion Adolescence Time of emotional turmoil but not constantly Emotional changes instantly occur with little provocation Girls more vulnerable to depression Adolescent moodiness is normal Hormonal changes and environmental experiences involved in changing emotions

Adulthood Adapt more effectively when emotionally intelligent Development of Emotion Adulthood Adapt more effectively when emotionally intelligent Developmental changes in emotion continue through adult years Older adults have more positive emotions, report better control of emotions

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory Development of Emotion Socioemotional Selectivity Theory Older adults become more selective about their social networks Place a high value on emotional satisfaction and maximize positive emotional experiences Spend more time with familiar individuals providing rewarding relationships Seek more emotion-related goals than knowledge-related goals

Model of Socio-emotional Selectivity Development of Emotion Model of Socio-emotional Selectivity Fig. 10.6

Temperament Temperament Individual’s behavioral style and characteristic way of emotional response Closely linked to personality

Chess and Thomas’ Classification Temperament Chess and Thomas’ Classification Three basic types or clusters Easy child: positive mood; quickly establishes routines; adapts easily to new experiences Difficult child: reacts negatively; cries frequently; has irregular routines; slow to accept new experiences Slow-to-warm-up child: low activity level; somewhat negative; shows low adaptability; displays low-intensity mood

Developmental Connections Temperament Developmental Connections Child Adult Easy temperament Good adjustment Difficult temperament Adjustment, school, and marital problems Inhibition Low assertiveness, job and school delays Good emotional control

Biological Foundations and Experience Temperament Biological Foundations and Experience Physiological characteristics are associated with different temperaments Heredity is aspect of temperament’s biological foundations Attributes become more stable over time as self-perceptions, behavioral preferences, and social experiences form personality

Developmental Contexts Temperament Developmental Contexts Gender may be important factor that influences fate of temperament Many aspects of child’s environment encourage or discourage persistence of temperament characteristics Goodness of Fit Match between child’s temperament and environmental demands

Parenting and Child’s Temperament Some temperament characteristics pose more challenges than others Management strategies that worked for one child may not work for next one Be sensitive to individual characteristics of child Structure the child’s environment to provide as good a fit as possible with child’s temperament Avoid labeling as “difficult child”

Theories of Attachment Attachment and Love Theories of Attachment Attachment — close emotional bond between two people Social orientation and understanding Face-to-face play for infants and caregivers Locomotion enables infant independence Goal-directed behaviors indicate intentions Social referencing for reading emotional cues

Theories of Attachment Attachment and Love Theories of Attachment Freud — infants attach to person or object providing oral satisfaction Harlow’s study proved otherwise Erikson — first year of life is key time for attachment development Sense of trust or mistrust sets later expectations

Theories of Attachment Attachment and Love Theories of Attachment Bowlby — stresses importance of attachment in first year and responsiveness of caregiver

Theories of Attachment Attachment and Love Theories of Attachment Bowlby Phase 1: birth to 2 months: direct attachment to human figures Phase 2: 2 to 7 months of age: directs attachment to primary caregiver; distinguish familiar from unfamiliar Phase 3: 7 to 24 months of age: specific attachments and seeks contact/increased locomotor skills Phase 4: 24 months and older: aware of other’s feelings & goals/ plans activities

Individual Differences and the Strange Situation Attachment and Love Individual Differences and the Strange Situation Ainsworth’s measure of infant attachment to caregiver Requires infant to move through a series of introductions, separations, and reunions Some infants have more positive attachments than others

Attachment Categories Attachment and Love Attachment Categories Caregiver is secure base to explore environment from Securely attached Shows insecurity by avoiding the caregiver Insecure avoidant Clings to caregiver, then resists by fighting against the closeness Insecure resistant Shows insecurity by being disorganized, disoriented Insecure disorganized

The Significance of Attachment Attachment and Love The Significance of Attachment Secure attachment in first year is important foundation for psychological development Some developmentalists believe too much emphasis on attachment bond in infancy Ignores the diversity of socializing agents and contexts that exists in an infant’s world Ignores that infants are highly resilient and adaptive

Caregiving Styles and Attachment Classification Attachment and Love Caregiving Styles and Attachment Classification Baby’s Attachment Caregiver Behavior Secure Sensitive to signals, available Insecure Avoidant Unavailable or rejecting Insecure Resistant Inconsistent Insecure Disorganized Neglect or physically abuse

Mothers and Fathers as Caregivers Attachment and Love Mothers and Fathers as Caregivers Maternal interactions usually center on child-care activities Feeding Changing diapers Bathing Paternal interactions more likely to include play, engage in rough-and-tumble acts

Child Care Many parents worry about child’s care Attachment and Love Child Care Many parents worry about child’s care About 2 million children currently receive formal, licensed child care More than 5 million children in kindergarten Types of child care vary extensively in U.S.

Variations in Child Care Attachment and Love Variations in Child Care Factors influencing effects of child care Age of child Type of child care Quality of program Mother’s employment in first year may have negative effect Types vary by ethnicity and social class

Variations in Child Care Attachment and Love Variations in Child Care Child care strategies for parents Quality of parenting is key to child’s development Make decisions that enhance being good parents Monitor child’s development Take time to find the best child care Child care may harm some children more than others

Adolescence Attachment to parents Attachment and Love Adolescence Attachment to parents Secure attachment to both parents positively related to peer and friendship relations Dismissing/avoidant attachment: de-emphasize importance due to caregiver rejection Preoccupied/ambivalent attachment: insecure adolescent due to inconsistent parenting Unresolved/disorganized attachment: insecure adolescent, high fear due to traumatic experiences

Dating and Romantic Relationships Attachment and Love Dating and Romantic Relationships Types of dating and developmental changes Dating scripts Cognitive models that guide dating interactions Males are proactive, females are reactive Males seek physical attraction, females seek interpersonal qualities Dating involvement linked to later adjustment Sociocultural contexts influences dating

Attachment in Adulthood Attachment and Love Attachment in Adulthood Adults count on romantic partners to be a secure base to which they can return and obtain comfort, security in stressful times Attachment-related anxiety Attachment-related avoidance Infant attachment style often reflected in adult partnership

Romantic Love Also called passionate love or eros Attachment and Love Romantic Love Also called passionate love or eros Complex intermingling of emotions Strong components of sexuality and infatuation Often predominates early part of a love relationship Affectionate love or companionate love Have deep, caring affection for person

Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Love Attachment and Love Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Love Theory that love includes three types Passion: physical, sexual attraction Intimacy: warmth, closeness, and sharing Commitment: intent to remain together

Sternberg’s Triangle of Love Fig. 10.12

Falling Out of Love Collapse of close relationship Attachment and Love Falling Out of Love Collapse of close relationship Tragic feelings initially Over time – happiness and personal development may benefit One-sided relationships are harmful

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