Theories of Socialization of Social Behavior Social Development Theories of Socialization of Social Behavior

Socialization The processes whereby the child is led to take on the way of life of his family and of the larger social groups in which he must relate and perform adequately in order ultimately to qualify for adult status

Parenting Behaviors Ideas Values Goals Styles Both goal-directed and non-goal-directed behaviors (e.g., gestures, expressions) Constellation of attitudes toward the child that are communicated to the child and create an emotional climate in which the parent’s behaviors are expressed.

Styles Baumrind (1968): Parental control intends to modify child’s expression of dependent, aggressive, and playful behavior, and to promote internalization of parental standards. attempts to integrate the child into the family and society by demanding behavioral compliance Behavioral and psychological control Regulating the child’s conduct through firm but reasonable discipline and monitoring his/her conduct Attempts to influence behavior by ignoring or discounting a child’s feelings, or inducing shame or guilt.

Styles ------------ control Authoritarian, Authoritative, Permissive Clarity of communication Arbitrary vs. reasonable rules and maturity demands Nurturance Restrictiveness

Martin & Maccoby (1983) Responsiveness Styles of parenting Differs from warmth which is given on parent’s impulse regardless of child’s state. Sensitivity and adaptation to the child’s signals, states and needs. Parents’ recognition of the child’s individuality. Styles of parenting Indulgent parents (similar to permissive) Neglecting parents

Styles - Behaviors Problems with typologies: Captures a configuration of practices What aspect of parenting affects which outcomes? E.g.,authoritative parenting and child outcomes Extant notions about processes are speculative, not empirically grounded.

Styles - Behaviors Style: indirect, general attitude, emotional climate Behavior: content & frequency of practices Moderated: “effectiveness” practice outcome style

Styles - Behaviors Style alters parents’ capacity to socialize the child by changing the effectiveness of their parenting practices: Transforms the nature of the parent-child interaction 2. Influences child’s openness to parental influence practice outcome style

Socialization techniques Prosocial behaviors that reflect internalized moral principles and empathy are more enduring Empathy and empathy-inducing techniques

Effectiveness of Inductive Appeals Power assertion component in inductive appeals and empathic arousal Communicates desired behaviors strongly, so it appears to be necessary. High levels arouse emotions (fear, anger) and acts (gaze aversion, withdrawal) that disrupt cognitive processing

Effectiveness of Inductive Appeals Tone of induction: Emotional intensity influences its effect - emotionally charged explanations “What you did hurt Ayse really bad.” - delivery with anger

Induction Internalization of parental inductions Accurate perception and acceptance: content and rules implied must be clear Parent and child characteristics are also important: - developmental level of child - temperament persistence (attention component)

Induction Increases likelihood to display positive behaviors Capitalizes on child’s capacity for empathy Child plays an active role in processing the message and over time, remembers the link between action and consequences Focus is on child’s behavior rather than on parent as disciplinarian

Wrap-up: Effectiveness of Inductive Appeals Configuration of parenting is important Verbalization by parents who typically do not use power-assertive techniques Power assertion and level of arousal

Configuration of parenting is important Wrap-up: Configuration of parenting is important Parenting style alters the impact of induction induction Positive social behavior Moderator: Parenting style Authoritarian parenting Authoritative parenting

Effectiveness of Inductive Appeals Hoffman (1975) Power assertion: fear of detection and punishment Authoritative control: induction evokes empathic response Communicates desired behaviors strongly Warmth: gives a feeling of security

Other Methods Punitive discipline Attribution to motives (fear of detection) and prosocial self-concept Not optimal context for empathy and learning Modeling High intensity power-assertive tactics promote noncompliance, defiance and a lack of concern for others