Development Social Development Attachment

Stranger anxiety & Attachment By nature human beings are social animals –Bonds are formed at birth with care givers Prefer familiar faces A fear of strangers develops soon after object permanence takes place –This shows that the brain, mind, & social emotional behavior develop together –By the 12 th month babies form an intense bond with their caregivers »Attachment: an emotional tie with another person Attachment originates from a # of elements: Comfort, familiar, & those Who are responsive to needs!

Harry Harlow & Body Contact Many psychologist believed that infants became attached to those who met their nourishments needs Harry Harlow Experiment 1950’s –Blanket attachment –Cloth Mother vs. wire mother Ability to cling Further studies revealed –Rocking –Warmth –Feeding Safe Haven Secure Base Shifts from parents To peers as we age.

Familiarity & Responsive Parenting Attachment is based on familiarity that takes place at a specific time –Critical period First moving object that is seen –Imprinting: not species specific, difficult to reverse Children do not imprint but become attached to what they know (familiarity) Secure attachment: –Play comfortably –feel safe to explore new environment Insecure Attachment –Cling to parent –Cry loudly & remain upset –Indifferent to parents presence Parental Behavior is the cause

Parental Behavior Sensitive, responsive mothers –Noticed what their babies were doing & responded to their needs appropriately (Secure Att.) Insensitive, unresponsive mother –Mothers who attended children when they felt like it & ignored them at other times (Insecure Att.) –Studies have gone on to verify this fact Attachment is part of development. Does it matter if it is the mother, the father, or daycare?

Secure Effects Studies have shown that children who had secure attachment were more outgoing & responsive –Joan & Erik Erikson (Developmental psychologist) state that children who have a secure attachment have a basic trust in the world The world itself is predictable & reliable It is believed that our early attachments form the foundations for our adult relationships

Deprivation Attachment Parental Behavior can affect a child’s psychological development Physical punishment that is too harsh is child abuse –Verbal –Neglect –Sexual 2 ½ million cases of child abuse and serious child neglect is reported each year –Only ½ of these cases have been verified by an official agency (1995)

Deprivation Att. Cont. Lasting emotional scars are the result of childhood abuse Animal experiments have showed the same results Most abusive parents have been the victims of abuse themselves However studies have shown that most abused children do not become abusers themselves 30% of abused become abusers Those who do not have a break from their past are less likely to repeat it

Effects of Child abuse Nightmares Depression Troubles adolescence that can lead to –Drug abuse –Eating disorders –Aggression –Extreme childhood trauma can leave it effects on the brain Early abuse & excessive Exposure to stress appears To permanently alter the brains emotional processing In the limbic system

Disruption & Daycare Affects on Attachment Disruption can be devastating –Preoccupation with former partner –Deep sadness –Eventual let go The younger one is & the healthier the new environment is the less detrimental Foster children however suffer the most & are affected greatly Psychologist have studied Daycare & maternal employment found –No major impact on development –More about the quality of care found –It takes a village to raise a child Consistency Warm relationship with people they can learn to trust

Self - Concept A sense of their own identity –Views of themselves affect their own actions –A positive self-concept leads to confidence, independence, optimism in life, assertiveness, & social skills

Child-Rearing Practices  Authoritarian  parents impose rules and expect obedience  “Don’t interrupt.” “Why? Because I said so.”  Permissive  submit to children’s desires, make few demands, use little punishment  Authoritative  both demanding and responsive  set rules, but explain reasons and encourage open discussion