1. Physical & Social Development
Infancy and Childhood
Physical & Social Development

2. Physical Development Brain Development
At birth you have most of your brain cells
Neural networks have to develop though
Maturation must take place
Biological growth processes enabling change
The parts of the brain responsible for basic functions develop first (linked to evolutionary psychology)
Physical Development

3. Physical Development Motor Development
With few exceptions – sequence of motor development is universal
Roll over before sitting
Creep on all fours before walking
Genes matter! Identical Twins usually sit & walk on nearly the same day
Physical Development

4. Physical Development Maturation and Infant Memory
Earliest memories not before age 3
The brain cortex has to mature to store long-term memories
Think of your earliest memory…Write it down
Your homework – talk with your parents and estimate your approximate age
Physical Development

5. Social development Stranger Anxiety
About 8 months infants begin to display a fear of strangers
How do you approach a child with stranger anxiety?
Get permission
Get on their level
Ask for interaction in a casual way
If child is still nervous, back off and play with one of their toys
Social development

6. Social development Origins of Attachment
Attachment – emotional bond with another person
Body Contact
Harry & Margaret Harlow reared monkeys to study attachment (it had nothing to do with food)
Harlow's Studies on Dependency in Monkeys.mp4
Should the same ethical constraints be imposed on animal research that exist for humans participants? Why or why not?
They wouldn’t be able to do the same study today
Did the Harlows’ studies imply that women should be the primary caregivers for infants? Why or why not?
Social development

7. Social development Origins of Attachment Familiarity
Critical period – optimal period shortly after birth when certain evens must take place for proper development
Konrad Lorenz studied Imprinting of birds
They attach to their own species best, but a box on wheels works too
It’s hard to reverse once created
Fly Away Home Trailer
Children don’t “imprint” but do like what is familiar – it’s safe
Social development

8. Social development Attachment Differences Securely attached children
Comfortable and explore in new environments w/mom
Distressed when mom leaves & seek contact upon return
Insecurely attached children
Less exploration and more clingy w/mom
Cry loudly when mom leaves & stay upset/indifferent when she comes back
Mary Ainsworth’s research found:
Sensitive responsive parents tend to have securely attached children (remember correlation is not causation)
Social development

9. Social development Depravation of Attachment
Neglect and/or trauma can prevent attachment
Leads to withdrawn children, frightened, may not develop speech
Abusers have often been abused, but the abused are not always abusers
Moving from foster house to foster house can be a cause
Daycare?
Quality daycare does not appear to effect attachment
Social development

10. Social development Self-Concept Begins at 6 months and evolves
By 8-10 it is stable
Social development

11. Social development Child Rearing Practices (Parenting Styles)
Authoritarian
Parent imposes rules and expects obedience
“Because I said so”
Permissive
Give in to child’s demands
Make few demands, use little punishment
Authoritative
Set rules and enforce them
Explain reasoning and encourage discussion
Give and take (G”ive” – Authoritat”ive”)
Social development

12. Get out a piece of loose leaf paper and complete the following…
Social Development

13. How would each type of parent get balky children to:
Authoritarian
Permissive
Authoritative
(Give & Take)
Clean up toys after play.
Eat dinner.
3. Go to bed.
Social development