Why is Parenting central to our psychology?
It affects a wide range of phenomena of interest to social psychology
Parenting influences affective responses, motivation, person perception, behavior, personality, hormones, and well-being.
What is Kindenschema?
- Soft features
- Big eyes
- Stubby limbs
- Clumsy
- Unable to accomplish goals
Kindenschema captures visual attention and activates the brain’s reward circuitry, leading to nurturing behavior.
What is the Cuteness Response?
Activation of brain’s reward circuitry in response to cute stimuli
This response leads to cautious and nurturing behavior toward the target.
What are the consequences of the parental care system?
- Greater risk aversion
- Reduced trust in strangers
- Harsher moral judgments
These consequences arise from increased parental care motivation.
What is the Grandmother Effect?
Menopause and extended lifespan in females increase care for kin, especially grandkids
Post-menopausal women invest more in the care of grandchildren, increasing odds of child survival.
What is the typical focus of Developmental Psychologists and Family Studies?
Effects on children
Recent growth in work on the social psychology of parenting has emerged.
How does parenthood affect personality according to the Big 5 dimensions?
- Openness declines
- Conscientiousness increases
- Criminal behavior declines
These changes reflect shifts in personality traits associated with becoming a parent.
What hormonal changes occur in motherhood?
Increases in oxytocin
Oxytocin is linked to bonding and nurturing behaviors.
What hormonal changes occur in fatherhood?
Reductions in testosterone
This change is associated with increased nurturing behaviors.
What happens to grey matter volume in new fathers?
Declines
This decline is linked to stronger father-infant bonds but also more depression.
Does being a parent make you more or less happy?
Little effect on overall happiness
Some studies suggest decreased marital satisfaction, especially in the first years of child-rearing.
What is the strength of parental care motive?
One of the strongest motives globally
There is some variation across cultures in absolute strength, with a slight increase due to the pandemic.
What are the effects of parenting on motivation?
- Women & men become more similar in self-protection
- Men become higher in status-seeking
Parenting changes other motives, reflecting shifts in priorities.
What are the cuteness facial responses?
Distinct from other positive emotional expressions, reliably elicited by cute stimuli
Across cultural groups, people reliably guess this expression caused by cute stimuli.
What is meant by Slow Life History in humans?
Humans have relatively few offspring & high parental investment
This concept highlights the trade-off between the number of offspring and the amount of care provided.
Define Extended Neoteny in the context of human development.
Humans have a long period of childhood development
This extended childhood allows for greater learning and socialization.
At what age do humans typically start acquiring enough calories to sustain themselves?
In their 20’s on average
This indicates a prolonged dependency on parental support during early adulthood.
