Developmental Psychology Unit Social-Interaction Development

Social interaction behaviors are broken down into one of two categories: 1. Altruism - selfless concern for the welfare of others that leads to a helping behavior. 1. More often seen in females 2. Increases as we get older 2. Aggression - any behavior that is intended to hurt someone, either physically or verbally.

The amount of aggressive behaviors tends to be related to age and moral development in most children. Aggressive behaviors tend to decrease as we get older. Social-Interaction Development

Aggressive behavior is broken down into two types: 1. Instrumental aggression - intended to achieve some goal such as retrieving a toy. Most common in young children. 2. Hostile aggression - intended solely to hurt another. Can be physical or verbal.

With the increase of age, we see a trend of less physical aggression and more verbal aggression. Altruism & Aggression seem to be influenced by: Genetic predisposition Parental modeling Most influential, as shown by research We do what we see, not what we are told Portrayals of role models in the mass media TV, movies, video games, books, internet, etc. Social-Interaction Development

Children watch an estimated 3 ½ hours of TV a day Children’s shows average 25 incidents of violence an hour. It is estimated that the typical child has vicariously witnessed 15,000 television murders by age 16. CSI, Psych, House, Law & Order, etc.