Developmental Psychology I: Infancy and Childhood - Integrative Report

DISCLAIMER: In order to ensure the confidentiality of the individuals involved, false names have been used throughout this report as a precautionary measure.

Visit 1 – October 10th, 2010 – My aunt’s home

My aunt frequently holds Morrissey family functions at her home in Tecumseh, Ontario. She has two kids who are around my age named Phil and Rebecca. There is usually a lot of food and a great number of people packed into her small two story house for Thanksgiving. The parents typically stay on the main floor around the kitchen while the cousins go downstairs in the living room to watch TV. The child I observed, Cory, is my second cousin. He is 3.5 years old. My cousin Rebecca interacted with him mostly because she babysits him a lot and he knows her well.

When I first arrived I found Rebecca and Cory playing together. When I sat down on the carpet next to my cousin, Cory sat a little straighter and looked at me for a few moments. Then when I said hello to my cousin and began to talk to her, I noticed he was watching me. Cory’s posture slouched back down slightly and he continued to play after about thirty seconds. Cory exhibited stranger anxiety (Berk & Roberts, 2009, p.405) (PS275OC Class notes, Lesson 7) and social referencing (p.412). His reaction was subtle but still noticeable. The situation allowed him to be less affected since he was surrounded with people he felt secure around. I also purposely sat down on the floor beside my cousin and not right next to him so I wouldn’t startle him. I would classify his reaction as more of an approach (p.406) because he did seem interested by staring at me. It was not an avoidance reaction because he didn’t leave or move closer to my cousin for protection.

Cory also displayed social referencing (p. 412) because he was listening to my cousin and I speak. Listening to the tone of our voices he recognized that Rebecca was at ease with me and that we have a positive relationship. Rebecca’s happy emotional expression...