INFANCY: The development of emotional and social bonds Chapter 6 INFANCY: The development of emotional and social bonds

Emotional Development

The Role of Emotional Competence Emotion: The physiological changes, subjective experiences and expressive behaviors that are involved in such feelings as love, joy, grief, and anger.

Emotional Development in Infancy

Social Referencing An inexperienced person relies on a more experienced person’s interpretation of event to regulate subsequent behavior.

Functions of Emotions Help humans survive and adapt to environment Guide and motivate human behavior Support communication with others

Stages in Children’s Emotional Development Self-regulation and interest in world “Falling in love” Developing intentional communication Emergence of organized sense of self Creating emotional ideas Emotional thinking

Stability of Emotional Expression Emotions and Cultural Norms

Emotional Intelligence (Goleman) The ability to: Motivate oneself Persist in the face of frustrations Control impulses Delay gratification Empathize, hope Regulate one’s moods to keep distress from overwhelming one’s ability to think

Attachment An affectional bond that one individual forms for another and that endures cross time and space.

What is the Course of Attachment? First stage: arousal from all parts of environment Second stage: indiscriminate attachment Third Stage: specific attachment

How Do Attachments Form? Ethological: Adaptive for survival Learning: Mother and baby are rewarded for closeness

Who are the Objects of Attachment? Mother Father Grandparent Mother and another person

What are the Functions of Attachment? Attachment behavioral system Fear-wariness behavioral system Affiliative behavioral system Exploratory behavioral system

Temperament Refers to the relatively consistent, basic disposition that underlie and modulate much of a person’s behavior.

Individuality in Temperament Difficult babies Slow-to-warm-up babies Easy babies

Theories of Personality Development

The Psychoanalytic View (Freud) For healthy personalities: 1. Breast-feeding 2. Prolonged period of nursing 3. Gradual weaning 4. On-demand nursing schedule 5. Delayed and patient potty training 6. Freedom from punishment

Erikson’s Psychosocial View Development of basic trust in others First social achievement: willingness to let mother move out of sight.

The Behavioral (Learning) View Concerned with outward display of emotions Rewards appropriate behaviors Extinguishes inappropriate behaviors

The Cognitive View and Information Processing How children reason and solve problems Examine cognitive, information-processing mechanisms that link affect to thinking and behavior

The Ecological View: Environmental influences contribute to development

Social Development

The Changing Demographics of Childhood Increasing diversity of family structures More single parents

The Art of Becoming Human Case studies of severe early deprivation Prolonged neglect, abuse, and isolation Abandonment and emotional-social deprivation Institutionalization and severe deprivation Reactive Attachment Disorder

Early Relationships and Social Development Maternal Responsiveness and the Strange Situation Securely attached infants Insecure/avoidant infants Insecure/resistant infants Disorganized/disoriented infants Stranger Anxiety and Separation Anxiety

Goodness of Fit Match between characteristics of infants and their families Good match: optimal development Poor fit: stormy household, maladaptive functioning

Cultural Differences in Child Rearing Child-rearing practices differ from one society to another Greater contrast between industrialized and nonindustrialized countries Quality of caregiver’s sensitivity and emotional availability is critical

Child Care for Infants and Toddlers

Parent -Infant Interaction The mother as caretaker The father as caretaker Absentee fathers Good, Better, Best?

Sibling-Infant Interaction Older siblings serve as models for younger siblings Many cultures require older siblings to care for younger siblings

Grandparents and Extended Family Interaction Reasons American grandparents are caretakers: drug abuse child abuse abandonment teenage pregnancy parent unable death of parent other

Early Child-Care Practices Child Day-Care Centers Multiple Mothering

Choosing a Child-Care Provider Interview Caregivers Visit the Center Ask Questions of the Center Check References Check the Licensing and/or Referral Program Choose Quality Care Stay Involved

Children at Risk: Effects of Poverty Child Neglect: The absence of adequate social, emotional and physical care Child Abuse: The non-accidental physical attack on or injury to children by individuals caring for them

The Intergenerational Cycle of Violence Signs of Abuse and Maltreatment: Bruises? Complaints of beatings? Child arrives early; leaves late? Absent or late often? Behaviors that point to abuse? Neglect of dress, appearance, health? Breaking the Cycle of Violence