Chapter 13: Social Behavior and Personality in School-Age

Children13.1 Self-Esteem13.2 Relationships with Peers13.3 Helping Others13.4 Aggression13.5 Families at the Turn of the Century

13.1 Self-EsteemMeasuring Self-EsteemDevelopmental Change in Self-EsteemSources of Self-EsteemConsequences of Low Self-Esteem

Measuring Self-EsteemOne common measure: Self-Perception Profile for ChildrenMeasures overall self-esteem as well as self-esteem in 5 specific areas: scholastic competenceathletic competencesocial acceptancebehavioral conductphysical appearance

13.1 Self-Esteem

Sample Items and Profiles from SPPC

Developmental Change in Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is highest in preschoolersDrops during the elementary school years, due to social comparisonsSelf- esteem becomes more differentiatedAcademic self-esteem becomes well-defined

13.1 Self-Esteem

Children Who View Selves Negatively

Sources of Self-EsteemChildren have higher self-esteem when parents are nurturing and involved and establish rules concerning disciplineComparisons with others (particularly peers)Self-esteem is high when others view positively and low when others view negatively

13.1 Self-Esteem

Consequences of Low Self-Esteem

Children with low self-esteem more likely to have problems with peers, have psychological disorders, be involved in antisocial behavior, and do poorly in schoolSometimes difficult to establish cause and effect relations regarding low self-esteem

13.1 Self-Esteem

13.2 Relationships with Peers

An Overview of Peer Interactions in School-Age ChildrenFriendshipPopularity and RejectionPrejudice

An Overview of Peer Interactions…

Children get along better than when they were youngerPerspective-taking plays a large roleSpend more time with peers without adult supervisionChildren “hang out” and play physical games

13.2 Relationships with Peers

Activities that Children Do with Friends

FriendshipBased on common interests and liking in children; intimacy is more important among adolescents, particularly girlsFriends usually alike in age, gender, and raceChildren with good friends have higher self-esteem, are more cooperative, and deal better with life stresses

13.2 Relationships with Peers

Popularity and Rejection

5 common categories: popular, rejected, controversial, average, neglectedPopular children tend to be attractive, smart, and socially skilledRejected children are socially unskilled, related to parents’ behavior and discipline

13.2 Relationships with Peers

PrejudiceNegative view of others based on group membership.Preschool children often are most prejudicedDeclines with age, particularly when groups mix and work together toward common goals

13.2 Relationships with Peers

13.3 Helping OthersSkills Underlying Prosocial BehaviorSituational InfluencesSocializing Prosocial Behavior

Skills Underlying Prosocial Behavior

Perspective-taking: Children help when they can imagine another’s situation.Empathy: Children help when they can feel as another person is feeling

13.3 Helping Others

Situational Influences

Children help when they feel responsible for the person in need Feel competent to help Are in a good moodWhen the cost of helping is modest

13.3 Helping Others

Socializing Prosocial Behavior

Parents should use reasoning when disciplining children because it leads to perspective takingModel prosocial behavior for childrenUse praise, particularly dispositional praise

13.3 Helping Others

13.4 AggressionThe Nature of Children’s Aggressive BehaviorRoots of Aggressive BehaviorVictims of Aggression

The Nature of Children’s Aggressive Behavior

Instrumental aggression: used to achieve specific goal (e.g., toy)Reactive aggression: one child’s behavior leads to another’s aggressionRelational aggression: try to hurt others by undermining social relationshipsForms of aggression change with age

13.4 Aggression

Relation of Childhood Aggression to Adult Crime

Roots of Aggressive Behavior

Parents contribute, particularly through use of physical punishmentTV also contributes, when children watch violent TV showsCognitive processes affect how children interpret social situations and select appropriate responses

13.4 Aggression

Relation of Viewing TV Violence and Criminal Activity

Victims of AggressionYoungsters are likely to be victims of aggression when they are aggressive themselves or are withdrawn and submissiveChildren can avoid being victims by learning new ways of responding to aggression, by raising their self-esteem, and by having friends13.4 Aggression

13.5 Families at the Turn of the Century

After-School CareDivorce

After-School CareSome children are latchkey children and care for themselves after schoolMany factors must be considered (e.g., child’s maturity, neighborhood safety) and parents must monitor their childrenUnsupervised self-care with peers is related to antisocial behavior

13.5 Families at the Turn of the Century

Self-Care Risk Factors and Antisocial Behavior

DivorceImmediately after, children behave less maturely and parenting less effective but this improves with timeDivorce affects children’s conduct, school achievement, adjustment, self-concept, and relationships with parentsWomen’s remarriage: sons usually benefit from stepfather but daughters often resent

13.5 Families at the Turn of the Century