Social DevelopmentBehavioral Science

Social Development Major Theories of Social Development

Psychoanalytic Theories Freud Erikson

Stage Theories- each stage major conflict, developmental

task Social Learning Theory

Emphasis on learning from observation, imitation

Freud’s contribution One of the first life span theories of

development Introduced important concepts

Psychodynamic perspective Behavior motivated by combination of:

inner forces memories conflicts

Unconscious processes

Erickson’s Stages Trust vs Mistrust

Infancy (0 to 1 year) Trust stems from:

Feeling of physical comfort Minimal amount of fear about future Needs being met by responsive, sensitive

caregiver

Erickson’s Stages Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt

Late infancy, Toddlerhood (1 to 3 years) Autonomy

Discovery of own will Assertion of autonomy, independence

Shame & Doubt Due to:

Too much parental restraint (over-control) Punishment

Erickson’s Stages Initiative vs Guilt

Early Childhood (3 to 5 years) Widening social world, greater challenges

Initiative Needs to develop purposeful behavior Needs to assume greater responsibility

Guilt Due to:

Irresponsible behavior (and parental response to it)

Erickson’s Stages Industry vs Inferiority

Middle to Late Childhood (6 years to puberty) Industry stems from:

Mastery of knowledge & intellectual skills Inferiority stems from

Feelings of incompetence Feelings of being unproductive

Erickson’s Stages Identity vs Identity Diffusion

Adolescence (10 to 20 years) Identity stems from:

Finding out who you are Requires exploration of alternative paths, roles, careers

Diffusion stems from Failure to find out who one is Failure to explore options

Erickson’s Stages Intimacy vs Isolation

Early Adulthood (20 to 30 years) Intimacy stems from:

Successfully forming intimate relations Erickson’s view

Must find oneself but lose oneself in another

Erickson’s Stages Generativity vs Stagnation

Middle Adulthood (40 to 50 years) Generativity stems from:

Assisting the next generation in developing and leading useful lives

Erickson’s Stages Integrity vs Despair

Late Adulthood (60 + years) Evaluation of life

Integrity - positive view of one’s life Despair - negative view of one’s life

Social Development Other Approaches

Temperament- Stable individual differences in children’s general

behavior and response to the environment

Individual differences in children contribute to their social development

Thomas, Chess & Birch- NYLS 1st major study longitudinal of temperament

Social Development Temperament Types

Easy Positive mood regular adaptable mild to moderate intensity

Social Development Temperament Types

Difficult Negative mood active irregular unadaptable withdrawal in new situations high intensity

Social Development Temperament Types

Slow-to-warm-up withdrawal in new situations slow to adapt low activity low to moderate intensity

Shy vs Extroverted Children Inhibited Child

In infancy shows high levels of agitation and irritability in response to the unfamiliar

In unfamiliar situations remains quiet, maintains proximity to mother

Heart rate and muscle tension increase with novel events or psychological stress

Higher levels of cortisol, more prone to allergies

Uninhibited Child In infancy shows low

levels of agitation and irritability in response to the unfamiliar, smiles a lot

Small rise in heart rate or muscle tension to novelty or psychological stress

Shy vs Extroverted Children as Adolescents or Adults

Inhibited Child Not likely to be

delinquents Likely to take jobs with

minimal uncertainty At risk for panic

disorders and agoraphobia in adulthood

Uninhibited Child Likely to take higher risk

jobs

Social Development Temperament in infancy predicts later social &

behavioral problems, but “goodness of fit” best predictor

Goodness of Fit = match between child’s temperament and characteristics of the environment

Stranger Anxiety A general fear of strangers is found in most

infants Typically starts around 7 months, peaks around

15 months, and typically starts declining around 18 to 20 months of age

Viewed as adaptive Wariness of strangers leads to using familiar

caregiver as a secure base

Stranger Anxiety

Seen across cultures Varies as a function of:

Culture Stranger behavior

Social Development

Attachment- social-emotional tie to another person All infants become attached to the people who

care for them attachments develop gradually over 1st year

of life manifestations: separation distress, stranger

anxiety

Evaluation of AttachmentSecurity

Social Development Individual differences in the quality of attachment

relationships: Secure

~65% of infants Ambivalent / Resistant

~10-15% of infants Avoidant

~20% of infants Disorganized

~5 to 10 % of infants

Secure Infants Use caregiver as a base for exploration May or may not cry at separation Show a strong preference to caregiver over

stranger Actively seek contact on reunion with

caregiver

Ambivalent / Resistant Attachment Prior to separation infant seeks closeness

with caregiver Little exploration

Upon return exhibit angry / resistive behavior Pushing away / hitting

May continue to cry after being picked up and aare not comforted easily

Avoidant Attachment Unresponsive to caregiver when caregiver

is present Not usually distressed by separation React to stranger and caregiver in similar

manner Avoid or are slow to greet caregiver upon

return

Disorganized Attachment Greatest insecurity At reunion show a variety of confused and

contradictory behaviors Looking away while being held Look dazed or flat emotionally May cry out unexpectedly Display odd frozen postures

Social Development Importance of Attachment

provides basis for exploration, learning “working model” of relationships related to later self-esteem, peer competence

and general social-emotional adjustment

Social Development Origins of Secure

attachment Sensitive caregiver

behavior e.g., emotional

responsivity contact comfort

known from animal & human studies

importance of touch premature infants who

receive “touch therapy’ gain weight faster & are discharged from hospital sooner

Social Development Institutionalized infants

Absence of attachment figure infants in Romanian orphanages may suffer severe effects from social/tactile

deprivation Loss of weight Difficulty sleeping Withdrawal from environment

Infants often develop multiple attachments

But requires stability of caregivingNOT good to have caregiver change often!

Attachment Patterns vary across Cultures

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Germany Japan USA

AvoidantSecureResistant

%

Social Development Distinction between Attachment & Bonding

Bonding-immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother & infant right after birth

No long term effects of this

Attachment- relationship that develops gradually over 1st year of life

quality of these relationships do have long term correlates

Social Development Socialization-

Process by which child’s standards, skills, attitudes and behaviors are shaped to conform to those regarded as desirable and appropriate in the society/culture in which s/he lives.

Social Development How to parents socialize their children?

As role models Via Parenting practices

Major Dimensions of Difference in Parenting Practices Autonomy vs. Control

Undemanding / Demanding Hostility vs. Warmth Responsiveness

Low vs. High

Parenting Styles: Authoritative-

High on control High on warmth

Permissive- Low on control High on warmth

Authoritarian- High on control Low on warmth

Neglecting- Low on Control Low on warmth

Social Development In most studies conducted in this country

authoritative parenting associated with most optimal child outcomes:

self-reliant, greater initiative higher achieving better peer relationships

Types of Discipline Induction-

Reasoning Pointing out effects of misbehavior

Power assertion- Use of threats, commands, physical force, withdrawal of

privileges Love withdrawal-

Not speaking to child, threats to abandon the child

Induction associated with higher levels of moral reasoning, greater empathy to others