Define attachment theory
Attachment is enduring emotional bond from child to parent; essential for survival
Interactions with caregivers will form child’s attachment
What is having an attachment important for children/two components? (hint: think circle)
Child uses attachment figure as:
• Secure base—child needs to explore environment, but know parents will be there when needed
• Safe haven—when something is scary/threat, will come back to parent
difference between attachment types
- Avoidant children AVOID their parents because their parents tend to be INTRUSIVE and INAPPROPRIATE with their attention. It’s like they’re trying to regain control from over- and inappropriate arousal.
- Ambivalent children often SEEK attention and then REJECT it. They have parents that are sometimes rejecting and sometimes overly involved, it appears phony on the surface.
- Disorganized children are often DAZED and CONFUSED. Their parents use FRIGHTENING parenting behavior. Often when children are abused, they are in this category.
- Secure children use their parents as safe havens and secure bases. They are HAPPY when they see their parents and find immediate COMFORT in their presence. Their parents are SENSITIVE and RESPONSIVE.
define internal working model
Mental representation of self, of attachment figures, and relationships in general; guide future relationships
o Mutually confirming: can see self having qualities b/c primary care giver has those qualities
o Predicts future socioemotional well-being
• Used to predict caregivers’ behavior and plan own reaction
• Patterns tend to be transmitted over generations (intergeneration)
What is involved when child has a SECURE attachment?
- Majority of middle class kids
- Use parent as secure base; trust parent
- Caregiver responds sensitively and appropriately
- I can trust and relay on others (internal working models)
- I am loveable, capable, worthwhile
- The World is safe
Define mandated reporting/who is a mandated reporter?
o People who must by law report suspicion of child abut and neglect
o Most state, teachers are mandatory reporters
Three major components of temperament
Effortful control (read: executive function) o Focus attention, shifting, planning
Negative affectivity
o Fear, discomfort, sadness, soothability
Extraversion/Surgency
o Activity level, behavioral inhibition (shy behavior), smiling, laughter, impulsivity
big five personality traits
OCEAN:
o Openness—resourceful, curious, creative play
o Conscientiousness—persistent in activity, attentive, dependable
o Extraversion—energetic vs. inhibited, self assertive vs. yielding
o Agreeableness—considerate vs. teases other children; helpful, cooperative
o Neuroticism—fearful, anxious, goes to pieces under stress vs. recovers quickly (vs. emotional stability)
define problem focused coping strategy
emotionally overwhelmed and how can I change this situation by solving the issue; better for emotion regulation
define emotion focused coping strategy
trying not to cry/not be angry, etc.
define externalizing emotional disorders
(aggression, hostile behavior, something that disrupts daily activity)
• Could include bullying
• Decreases over time
• Boys tend to report more externalizing issues
define internalizing emotional disorders
(depression, anxiety, eating disorders)
• Tends to increase over time
• Girls tend to report more internalizing issues
What are the risk factors of depression?
o Parents who are negative, who do not accept children’s emotions, and do no coach children on how to cope with their emotions
o Chronic stress in relationships is most common cause
What is the long term goal of discipline?
- To instill values and increase self-control
* Want internalization
What does corporal punishment predict in the short- and long-term?
o Does more HARM than good
• No better at short term compliance than other techniques
o Many unintended consequences of corporal punishment
• Associated with less obedience in the long term
• Children will become aggressive and antisocial over time
3 types of discipline
o Developmentally-appropriate induction (When adult explains reason for rules and points out the consequences of breaking the rules)
o Psychological control (When adults attempts to manipulate children’s behavior by expressing anger or disapproval, by withdrawing love and affection, or by trying to make child feel guilty)
o Power assertion (Includes: corporal punishment–When adult relies on power or resources to control behavior)
3 types of child abuse and neglect
- Sexual—typically by males; includes rape, incest, pornography, commercial exploitation, etc.
- Signs: pregnancy, STD, urine tract infections, bed wetting, talking about genitals in ways they shouldn’t know about (isn’t age appropriate)
- Physical—hitting, biting, shaking, burning, etc.
- Aggressive behavior
- Emotional—more nebulous; includes bizarre forms of punishments, verbal threats, shaming, etc.
Most common type of child abuse and neglect
emotional; neglect is more common than abuse
What is NOT an effective discipline technique?
corporal punishment –> power assertion and psychological control
inductive IS the most effective
3 types of temperament styles
Easy (40%)
o Cheerful, biologically regular, high adaptability, low-intensity reactions
Slow-to-warm (15%)
o Adjusts slowly, initially high withdrawal and slow to adapt, looks like difficult, but comes around
Difficult (10%)
o High withdrawal, negative mood, not adaptable, biological irregularity
3 types of temperament styles
Easy (40%)
o Cheerful, biologically regular, high adaptability, low-intensity reactions
Slow-to-warm (15%)
o Adjusts slowly, initially high withdrawal and slow to adapt, looks like difficult, but comes around
Difficult (10%)
o High withdrawal, negative mood, not adaptable, biological irregularity
3 types of temperament styles
Easy (40%)
o Cheerful, biologically regular, high adaptability, low-intensity reactions
Slow-to-warm (15%)
o Adjusts slowly, initially high withdrawal and slow to adapt, looks like difficult, but comes around
Difficult (10%)
o High withdrawal, negative mood, not adaptable, biological irregularity
Define self-regulation
process of moving out/external to in/internal
define temperament
individual differences in reaction to environment
