Early & Middle Childhood Social Development

Aggression Instrumental Instrumental –Common in preschoolers, but decrease with age Hostile: overt & relational Hostile: overt & relational –Overt increases 4-7, then declines –Relational increases Gender differences? Gender differences? Why and when are children aggressive?

Bobo Doll Experiment (Albert Bandura) Participants: 36 boys & girls; M age = 4.5 Participants: 36 boys & girls; M age = 4.5 Method Method –Watched video of either:  Non-aggressive model  Aggressive model –Frustration period –Testing session Number & type of aggressive acts were recorded Number & type of aggressive acts were recorded

Bobo Doll Experiment (Albert Bandura) Results: Results: –88% of children (more boys) that watched aggressive model, imitated behavior… …in exactly the same way! –More likely to play aggressively, even if not modeled –8 months later, 40% reproduced the aggressive behavior What does this say about violence on TV?

Aggression: Summary Aggressive families breed aggressive children Aggressive families breed aggressive children –View the world from a violent point of view Violent media is particularly influential in early childhood because: Violent media is particularly influential in early childhood because: –Susceptible to models that admire/respect –Lack of perspective taking, centration, etc.

Friendships in Childhood ** Types of play** Early: someone you play with, who likes you Early: someone you play with, who likes you –Limit: don’t describe long-term qualities Middle: trust becomes defining feature Middle: trust becomes defining feature Think of your first friend… why were they a friend?

Peer Groups in Middle Childhood Social unit that shares values, similar standards for behaviors, & has a social structure Social unit that shares values, similar standards for behaviors, & has a social structure –Proximity –Similarity Moderately stable “peer culture” Moderately stable “peer culture” –Vocabulary, dress codes, “hang out” spots How do peer groups become organized? What makes up a peer groups “culture”?

Peer Acceptance Sociometric technique Sociometric technique “Name 3 children you would like to play with most & 3 least.” Social behavior is primary determinant Social behavior is primary determinant Powerful predictor of current & later adjustment Powerful predictor of current & later adjustment Four major categories of peer acceptance… Four major categories of peer acceptance… –66% fit categories, 33% are average How could we measure peer acceptance? What do you think determines peer acceptance?

Popular children Many positive votes Many positive votes Popular-prosocial Popular-prosocial –Socially & academically competent –Good adjustment Popular-antisocial Popular-antisocial –Socially competent, athletic “tough” boys, poor students –Likeability offers protection from maladjustment

Rejected children Many negative votes Many negative votes Rejected-aggressive Rejected-aggressive –Socially hostile & conflicts; hyperactive & inattentive –Poor academically & at risk for delinquency Rejected-withdrawn Rejected-withdrawn –Socially awkward & passive; anxiety influences academics –At risk for vicimization by bullies

Bullies & Victims Statistics: 10% bullied on weekly basis Statistics: 10% bullied on weekly basis Who does the bullying? Who does the bullying? –Older children bully younger –Boys bullied by boys; if girls, 60% bullied by boys –Mostly rejected-aggressive or popular antisocial Are victims always passive? Are victims always passive? –Proactive victims: pick fights & get angry easily Long-term consequences? Long-term consequences? –Bullies > criminals –Victims > low self-esteem, depression

Controversial children Many positive & negative votes Many positive & negative votes –Socially hostile, but engage in prosocial behaviors –Relatively happy & comfortable relationships Neglected children Almost no votes either way Almost no votes either way –Low rates of social interaction & shy –Relatively well-adjusted

Child Rearing Styles

Warm & attentive Warm & attentive Reasonable demands, & consistently explains Reasonable demands, & consistently explains Allows appropriate decision making Allows appropriate decision makingOutcome Happy Happy Self-confident Self-confident

Child Rearing Styles Cold & rejecting Cold & rejecting Coercive & criticizing demands Coercive & criticizing demands Makes decisions for child Makes decisions for childOutcome Anxious & unhappy Anxious & unhappy Hostile reactions Hostile reactions

Child Rearing Styles Warm, but overly indulgent Warm, but overly indulgent Few or no demands Few or no demands Allows decision making before ready Allows decision making before readyOutcome Immature Immature Impulsive & less persistent Impulsive & less persistent

Child Rearing Styles Emotionally detached & withdrawn Emotionally detached & withdrawn Few or no demands Few or no demands Indifferent to decision making Indifferent to decision makingOutcome Poor emotion control Poor emotion control Low achievement & delinquency Low achievement & delinquency Neglect!

In-Class Assignment 5 The purpose of this assignment is to give you practice identifying and distinguishing between Baumrind’s child-rearing styles.

Parental Relationships in Childhood Major developments Major developments –Amount of time with parents decline in middle childhood –Not ready for complete independence What type of household did you grow up in? ¼ of children in single-parent household… ¼ of children in single-parent household… For an average of 5 years For an average of 5 years

Divorce’s Influences on Children Age: the younger the child, the more difficult Age: the younger the child, the more difficult –Blame themselves –Fear of abandonment & separation anxiety –Fantasize about reunion Temperament Temperament –Difficult children have most problems Sex Sex –Girls cry & withdraw; boys act out –Boys have most difficulty in mother-custody homes –School problems greater for boys

Long-term consequences? Improved adjustment by 2-years after divorce Improved adjustment by 2-years after divorce Some problems… Some problems… –Increased sexual activity in adolescence –More likely to divorce in adulthood Positive adjustment most likely when… Positive adjustment most likely when… –Parent adopts authoritative style –Boys are placed with fathers Low-conflict, single-parent household better than stressed, high-conflict intact family!