janet belsky’s experiencing the lifespan, 2e chapter 4: infancy: socioemotional development...
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Janet Belsky’sExperiencing the Lifespan,
2e
Chapter 4:Infancy: Socioemotional
Development
Meredyth Fellows, West Chester University of PA
Attachment: The Basic Life Bond
History Behaviorists (Watson, Skinner)
minimized human attachment need Believed “maternal reinforcing
stimulus” created infant’s need to be close to caregiver
John Watson, strict ____________ Video
Attachment: History Ethologists: early
evolutionary psychologists _____________(1935):
research with goslings
“biologically programmed attachment response”
Attachment: History Harry Harlow (1959)
Experiment with monkeys Refuted behaviorists ideas Contact comfort
important to bonding Video 1 Video 2
John Bowlby (’69, ’73, ’80) Primary attachment figure
_________________________________________
Attachment Response
Bowlby (’69, ’73) (Video) Critical period for attachment response Proximity-seeking behavior—activated
by threats to survival at any age Threats may be activated by our internal
state Threats may be evoked by external world
dangers Attachment Theory-Video
Attachment Milestones Pre-attachment Stage
—birth to 3 mos. Reflex dominated time 2 months, social smile
(example of automatic reflex, not in response to attachment figure)
Social smile evokes care and love
Attachment Milestones, cont’d
Attachment in the making—4 to 7 mos. Slight preference for
caregivers, but still respond to everyone
Clear-cut (focused) attachment—7 to 8 mos. Stranger-anxiety and
separation anxiety appear Social-referencing
The Strange Situation: Mary Ainsworth Video
Measures individual variations in attachment response during “clear-cut” stage
Planned separations and reunions of child and primary caregiver
Ainsworth’s Attachment Styles
___________ Attached Child uses primary
caregiver as a secure base from which to explore
Child reacts with joy upon caregiver’s return
Video
Ainsworth’s Attachment Styles
Insecurely Attached Avoidant
Appear detached; indifferent upon mother’s return
______________________ Clingy, fearful, fear of exploration Severe distress when mother leaves;
contradictory emotions upon return; often inconsolable
__________________________ Bizarre behaviors; may freeze, look frightened,
may flee Often result of abuse
Attachment: The Caregiver Insecurely
attached babies may have parents who are: Overly intrusive Misread signals Depressed
Slower to react to baby’s cues
Attachment and Child’s Temperament
Temperament—________________________________________________________________________________________________ Easy Slow to Warm-up Difficult
Baby’s temperament and quality of caregiving will determine attachment style
Attachment: Summary
Early life is sensitive period for attachment (not critical period)
Attachment may change over time Forces influencing attachment styles:
Nurture provided by primary caregiver
Infant’s temperament Other environmental forces
Settings for DevelopmentPoverty in the United States
___________________________ (Federal government definition) An income levels that allows a household
to pay for shelter, food, and clothing, with a small amount left over.
___________(Child Advocates’ term) The real minimum income it takes for a
family to decently make ends meet in the U.S.
Poverty in the U.S.: Statistics
Federal government: 1 out of every 5 children
Low income criterion, 43% Poverty most common during
child’s first 5 years of life Single motherhood Inadequate wages
Poverty and Development Strong negative impact on academic
performance Less access to quality preschools,
enriching toys, trips to museums Health-compromising conditions at birth
(e.g. low birth weight) Stressed, low-income mothers may have
less patience with irritable infants/children
Crowded living and unsafe environment
Toddlerhood: Erik Erikson’sAge of Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt
Toddlerhood: 1-2 years Task of toddlerhood: to be
autonomous selves Understanding of “self” and
self-conscious emotions appear
May feel proud or ashamed Need to explore
Erikson’s negative outcome: _________________
Do Shy and Exuberant Children Differ Dramatically in Self-Control?
Research demonstrates: Toddlers at the high end
of the fearless, joyous, and angry continuum show less “___________” at age 4
These toddlers’ exuberant impulses are difficult to dampen
Does power assertion work when disciplining?
Better to redirect behavior and provide positive reinforcement
Guidelines for Socialization according to Temperament
Shy Do not overprotect Gently expose to new situations
_______________ Develop strong attachment bond Resist power assertion