Psychology 235 Dr. Blakemore Parenting

Dimensions of Parenting Economic Resources Warmth and responsiveness Control and Discipline Cognitive Stimulation Modeling of attitudes, values, and behaviors Gatekeeping Family routines and traditions

Economic Influences Impacts birthweight, health, nutrition Exposure to toxins Neighborhood and schools Family financial and other resources Use of television, books, and other resources Maternal depression Other stresses Probability of divorce and living in a single-parent home The largest impact is on parents’ behaviors

Modeling of Attitudes, values, and behaviors Parents’ values (political, social, moral, ethical, religious, educational, etc.) Parents’ behavior that they model to the children Discussions about how they want their child to act

Gatekeeping Who the children’s friends will be What activities and programs they become involved in Supervision of homework Restrictions on television Diet, snacking, etc. Parent involvement in school, and other institutions (religious activities, athletics, music, and the arts, etc.)

Family Routines and Traditions Daily routines, meal times, homework, TV, etc. Cultural, religious, and other family traditions Connections to family and heritage

Control and Warmth = Discipline Styles On a continuum from highly controlling to not at all controlling Warmth On a continuum from very warm and affectionate to cold and distant

High Control Power assertion Demands obedience May use physical or other power assertive forms of punishment High restrictiveness Can lead to obedience if power is high enough Associated with anxiety and low self esteem Associated with more external sense of “morality” often leads to resistance

Brief Discussion of Spanking Other aspects of discipline are more important Impact of spanking depends on frequency and severity Mild and infrequent physical punishment “probably” has little detrimental effect One positive effect is that it is likely to produce quick compliance

Negative Effects of Spanking Research has generally shown more negative impact of spanking than positive Lower moral internalization Higher aggression More delinquent and antisocial behavior, both in childhood and adulthood Poorer quality of parent-child relationship Poorer mental health outcomes, both in children and in adults More abuse of own spouse and children More likely to be abused

Moderate Control Rules to guide child Consistent enforcement of age appropriate standards High but age appropriate expectations Open communication Reciprocal control to some degree -- child can also influence parent Child has some control over situation Associated with mature self control

Low Control No consistent rules No attempt to guide child to maturity May be parental outbursts when child is annoying Child is likely to be rude and immature or possibly hostile and angry

Warmth Caring, affectionate committed to child’s welfare responsive to the child willing to spend time ready to show enthusiasm sensitive to child’s emotional state affects discipline Child is more willing to comply when mutual caring relationship exists

Parental Discipline Styles Styles are a function of both warmth and control Are affected by child’s characteristics as well as parent’s Also are related to child’s age Having developed a reciprocal relationship is relevant at all ages

Short video clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGHyB9MsMho

Hostile – Neglectful (or univolved) Low on both warmth and control No clear rules and standards Little affection Children may become delinquent, likely to be hostile and angry.

Authoritarian Controlling, power-assertive and punitive Will often use physical punishment Children are likely to resist compliance, unless the cost is too high Then children will be obedient They will obey out of fear rather than a desire to do the right thing children may be shy and fearful They are likely to be hostile toward their parents

Permissive (or indulgent) Virtually no standards of behavior Warmth and affection, at least some times Rude, selfish, immature children Difficulty controlling their behavior At home assertive and disrespectful

Authoritative (or democratic) Midway in control Warm and affectionate Do have rules and standards to guide the child Children not as likely to be blindly obedient Nor are they as likely to resist complying Mature, self-controlled Competent

Is there a recipe for successful child rearing? Warmth, happiness and mutual support Promote desirable behaviors Firmly enforce demands Avoid unnecessary power assertion and physical punishment

Recipe continued Use induction – tell children why things are wrong Focus on other people’s needs Give children feelings of control Be consistent Model the behavior you want your children to have