Developmental Psychology

Secure attachment: more adventurous and able to handle separation anxiety

Sroufe: Minnesota preschool project – determined pro social behavior and negative behavior

They found that overall pro social kids were securely attached and overall negative kids were insecurely attached

Teachers referred to negative as chronic whiners (resistant)

Loner

Unpredictable (resistant)

Family stability is most important to attachment. Inconsistencies occur because of the family. Mike Lamb proposed that the family is the third variable.

If the father is present he is also considered to be part of attachment. Primary playmaker and secondary care giver. Mom is opposite

Stranger anxiety: starts at 6 months of age, peaks at 8 months and usually ends at 13 months. There’s no pattern though throughout this period. One day they’ll throw a fit and the next they won’t

1. Raffman: concludes that babies are reacting to strange behavior not a strange person. Being held different and sound different.

2. Incongruity theory: at 6 months of age infants can differentiate between old and new. And anything that is new the baby will react to with distress.

Critics: the baby can differentiate between their moms voice and others in embryo

3. Ethological theory: at 6 month of age a genetically program turns on and tells the infant that all strangers must be feared to ensure survival

Critics: not all babies experience it

4. Social learning theory (jealousy): at 6 months of age a baby learns that the appearance of an unfamiliar adult means that mom will pay less attention to them. Babies know that small children aren’t going to take away moms attention. Midget adults confused them though

Even though you’re securely attached you’ll still experience stranger anxiety and separation anxiety, but can handle it a little better

60% maturation ethological (biological)

40% social learning theory

Cognitive development:

Piaget: biologist, child genius, child...