Lecture Notes/Chapter Outline: Chapter 5

Chapter 5
Infants & Toddlers: Personality & Sociocultural Development

Define Terms
Personality- characteristic beliefs, attitudes, and ways of interacting with others

Temperament- “certain behavioral styles” neonates “come into the world with” Three categories: 1.) Easy 2.) Difficult 3.) Slow to warm up

Attachment – “the first relationship”; the relationship between the infant and the mother (or primary care-giver) that is characterized by interdependence, intense mutual feelings, and strong emotional ties. Behaviors that promote nearness to a specific person.

Erickson: Trust vs. mistrust - birth to 1

Autonomy vs. shame and doubt – 1 to 3


Freud: Oral: birth to 12 t0 18 mos.
Anal: from 12 to 18 mos. though about age 3

Greenspans “Milestones in Early Emotional Development”
Birth to 3 mos. – Self-Regulation & interest in world
2 mos. to 7 mos. – Falling in Love
3 to 10 mos. – Intentional Communication
9 to 18 mos. – Organized Sense of Self
18 to 36 mos. – Emotional Ideas
30 to 48 mos. – Emotional Thinking; Fantasy, Reality, Self-Esteem

How important is attachment?
Bowlby & Ainsworth: the interaction & relationship that evolves from the attachment process during the first 2 years are the basis for all future relationships. Parallels Erickson’s theories.

Other research on Attachment:
“Still-face” experiment –

Konrad Lorenz geese – no clear evidence of a “critical period” for human attachment to develop. First few days parents & infants are especially receptive. Some studies say first 45 minutes are important. Attachment must happen by 8 mos. for normal development to continue.

Harlow’s monkeys – contact comfort

“7-months Anxiety” correlate with cognitive development
Stranger Anxiety
Separation Anxiety
Quality of Attachment: Ainsworth’s Strange Situation Experiments; 2 basic kinds of attachment:
1. Secure Attachment: 60% to 70% U.S. Middle Class
2.Insecure Attachment: Rest [roughly a third].
-Resistant Attachment – anger, avoidance
-Avoidant Attachment – indifference
-Disorganized/disoriented Attach-confusion, contradictory behavior
All 3 associated with unresponsive, indifferent & resentful care giving

Longitudinal Studies found dramatic differences in personality & social development as early as 18 mos.

Supportive relationship between care-giver and infant promotes active exploration and early mastery of object play & social environment


Responsive Care-Giving: [Ainsworth: strong attachment = highly responsive relationship]
Sensitive to baby’s signals & overall responsiveness
More responsive to cries
More affectionate
More tender
More close bodily contact
Responsive to physical needs
Responsive to distress Signals
Responsive to attempts at communication

Mutuality / interactive synchrony [sin kro nee]
Mutual Dialogues – start off “listening” to one another

Abuse & Neglect
Failure to Thrive
At Risk for physical, emotional & cognitive impairments

Family influences
Fathers
Siblings
Grandparents

PERSONALITY in 2nd YEAR
Trust & Security
Autonomy
Discipline
Toilet training
Pro-social behavior
- Empathy
- Cooperation – almost no 12mo old; infrequent & almost “accidental” at 18 mos.; with coaxing almost all 24 mos.
-Sharing
Sense of Self
Self-concept: perception of personal identity
Self-conscious emotions
-Pride
-Shame
-Guilt
-Embarrassment
Awareness of sex roles around 21 months
Language filled with “me & mine”