Chapter 15 – The Family Socialization = teaching beliefs & customs Who socializes children? - Parents - Teachers - Siblings/extended family - Peers - Media

Cultural Influences Cultures - specific beliefs & behaviors Universals - in behaviors children learn - in parents’ goals

Parenting Socialization Methods Instruction = giving information (and encouragement)

Modeling = setting example Disciplining = sanctioning behavior

GiveTake Away PositivePositiveResponse ReinforcementCost & Time Out NegativePunishmentNegative Reinforcement

Positive Reinforcement = rewarding behavior - goal = increase good behavior **- best way to increase desired behavior

- social vs. physical/tangible reinforcers - social are best - less expensive - no need to remove - positive social interaction

Punishment = administer negative to reduce negative behavior - physical or verbal

Best to not use - associates parent with negative event - teaches aggression - is less effective

Especially ineffective if: - delayed - too mild or too intense - inconsistent - parents are not otherwise warm/loving

Response Cost/Time Out = remove something positive (attention, privileges, tangible things) - goal: decrease negative behavior **best method - must be administered properly

Negative Reinforcement - NOT punishment = remove something aversive - goal: increase positive behavior - ineffective & negative strategy

Can increase positive behavior - give a positive (positive reinforcement) - remove negative (negative reinforcement) Can decrease negative behavior - give a negative (punishment) - remove a positive (reponse cost)

Therapy with behaviorally-disturbed children/parents Parent Behavioral Training (PBT) - teach parents more effective strategies

Outcome - continued tantrums - parent gives in - parent teaches kid to have tantrum to get own way

Solution - extinguish tantrums - might increase before decrease

Other Processes Reciprocal Influence - kid & parent influence each other s-50s: blame parent

Shaping - gradually reinforce closer approximations to the goal - parents & teachers often dislike

Parenting Styles 2 dimensions - warmth & involvement - control 4 styles

Warmth HighLow HighAuthoritativeAuthoritarian Control LowIndulgent-Indifferent- PermissiveUninvolved

*Authoritative = firm & loving - rules with discussion - responsive to child’s needs - kids’ outcomes are best - “energetic-friendly”

Authoritarian = traditional; parents set rules - kids’ outcome: no initiative, lower grades & self-esteem - but few behavioral problems - “conflicted-irritable”

Indulgent-Permissive = few rules, rarely punish - very warm & involved - kids’ outcome: immature, poor self- control, poor academically - but good self-esteem - “impulsive-aggressive”

Indifferent-Uninvolved = reduced time & effort parenting - psychologically distant - kids’ outcome: little emotional control; most behavioral problems, probably worst self-esteem - hostile & rebellious as teens

Summary: - parenting style is strongly related to child behavior/outcome - moderate control and much warmth is best (love and limits)

Divorce Prevalence % of recent marriages

Impact Not just single event - The Divorce - marital conflict* - changes after divorce

Effects on Parents - angry - isolated - financial problems - moms: edgy, impatient, punitive - dads: permissive & indulgent

Children - angry, depressed & afraid - guilty (preschoolers) - blame parents (adolescents) - whiny & disobedient - problems at school & with peers - vicious cycle between parent & child

Sex differences - worse on boys than girls - more behavioral problems, longer to recover - BUT may be easier to see boys’ problems - boys/girls better if live with same-sex parent

Staying together for the kids - poor idea - conflict, not divorce, causes the problems

Long-term effects - no clear evidence of when is best - better if friends from divorce - less optimistic about own marriage

Remarriage Positive: better finances, partner Negative: initial conflict & change Sex difference: boys adjust better to stepfather Stepmothers: tougher job initially because of active childrearing role Younger children adapt better

Siblings Relationships - much conflict - less conflict among same-sex pairs - relationship is more positive than negative - older siblings more domineering + more helpful/playful - sibling relations are closer/warmer + more conflictual

- viewed as more important than friends - less intense, more supportive in adolescence

Older Sibling Functions 1. Attachment objects 2. Social models 3. Teachers

Birth Order First-born children - treated differently by parents & have different experiences - more likely to feel sibling rivalry

Outcomes related to birth order Success - first-borns Popularity - later-borns Individual differences

Only Children Not spoiled & selfish More obedient & socially skilled High self-esteem, low anxiety Independent Competent: higher in IQ/achievement

May gain from peers & parents what lose from siblings

China - teachers rated only kids same as others - parents rated only girls as depressed, moody, & temperamental - peers rated only children as more selfish, less cooperative, less liked

Abuse & Neglect Types Physical abuse - physical injury Sexual abuse - ANY sexual activity with a child

Psychological abuse - belittling, demeaning Neglect - inadequate care & protection

Risk Factors Child factors - behavior/temperament problems - premature birth/illness/deformities - male for physical, female for sexual

Parent factors - history of abuse - poor peer relations as a child - low self-esteem - low IQ - poor interpersonal skills - inability to control anger

Family/system factors - marital discord & divorce - single parenthood - poverty - unemployment - social isolation - divorce

Outcomes of Abuse Personality - passive & obedient - negative, hostile - low self-esteem, withdrawn - difficulty with trust & attachment - worse for sexual abuse

Cognitive - worse memory & attention abilities - severe abuse => brain injury, lower IQ