a3 - emotional development across the life stages

Question 1

what is emotional literacy?

Answer 1

the ability to recognise, understand and express emotions - essential for forming positive social relationships

Question 2

self-image vs self-esteem

Answer 2

self-image is the way an individual sees themselves (mental image), whereas self-esteem is how a person feels about themselves (self worth or pride)

Question 3

what is attachment?

Answer 3

a strong emotional connection between a child and caregiver

Question 4

emotional development in infancy (0-2 years)

Answer 4

attachment -
- Bowlby said that infants have an inbuilt need to form an attachment, the quality of this may affect emotional development for the rest of the child’s life
- Ainsworth and Marris argued that the quality affects the assumptions we make about ourselves and others
- infants who are securely attached will grow up with the skills needed to cope with uncertainty whereas infants who are insecurely attached may struggle with stress and major life events

Question 5

emotional development in early childhood (3-8 years)

Answer 5

understanding self and others -
- children use imagination to understand the social roles that others play, begin to get self-concept
- relationships with family influence sense of self-worth, relationships with friends and teachers influence self-confidence
- may develop a permanent sense of confidence, or a sense of failure

Question 6

emotional development in adolescence (9-18 years)

Answer 6

identity -
- sense of self is developing, need to develop a secure self-concept
- people need a clear understanding of identity in order to feel secure when working with others, or to make a loving sexual attachment
- may be a stressful time as self-esteem may depend on developing identity

Question 7

emotional development in early and middle adulthood (19-65 years)

Answer 7

intimacy -
- self-esteem influenced by lifestyle (job, marital status etc)
- self-image influenced by appearance and how others see you
- need to learn to cope with attachment to a sexual partner (not being too self-centred or defensive etc)

Question 8

emotional development in later adulthood (65+ years)

Answer 8

making sense of your life -
- secure sense of self is needed, enables coping with physical changes linked to ageing and death
- people who fail to make sense of life may experience emotional despair

Question 9

attachment to caregivers (positive)

Answer 9

• child will feel secure, loved and have a sense of belonging
• important that parents ensure that children have physical, mental and emotional nourishment to develop healthily
• secure attachments in childhood lead to happier and healthier attachments in the future

Question 10

attachment to caregivers (negative)

Answer 10

• lack of healthy attachment, then mistrust of caregivers or adults could develop
• insecure attachments can lead to behaviour issues, lack of ability to receive affection or manipulative behaviour
• may not develop the secure base necessary to cope with life

Question 11

John Bowlby theory - basics

Answer 11

• whilst working as a psychiatrist, considered a relationship between mother and child
• linked the importance of social, cognitive and emotional development to this relationship
• believed that children were biologically preprogrammed to form attachments and that infancy is a key stage for this
• he then considered problems associated with separation from the caregivers

Question 12

John Bowlby theory - separation anxiety

Answer 12

• worked with James Robertson, observed children experiencing intense distress when separated from mothers
• suggested that attachment could be understood as evolving from the caregiver giving safety and security
• infants have a universal need to seek close proximity with caregiver when under stress or threat

Question 13

John Bowlby theory - privation

Answer 13

• happens when children have not had the opportunity to form attachments
• Bowlby believed that attachment is a natural / biological process, but others said that it is learned behaviour influenced by environment, culture etc

Question 14

Schaffer and Emerson theory

Answer 14

• babies are more likely to form attachments to caregivers who respond effectively to signals (sensitive responsiveness)
• most important factor in forming attachments is therefore adults who play and communicate with them

Question 15

Schaffer and Emerson’s sequence of attachment

Answer 15

up to 3 mths - respond indiscriminately to caregivers
3-7 mths - can distinguish difference between main caregiver and others, will accept care from others
7-9 mths - infant looks to particular people for security and comfort, shows fear of strangers, some separation anxiety
9 mths+ - gaining independence, forming multiple attachments

Question 16

factors that can cause poor attachment

Answer 16

prematurity - often in an incubator so cannot be held
post-natal depression - may affect mother’s ability to bond with baby
separation - can be due to illness, divorce etc. can impact sense of identity
foster care - inconsistency of caregivers, can affect attachments
emotional unavailability - parents struggling with role due to alcohol, drugs etc
disability - parents may find it harder to attach to babies with disabilities, may struggle with feelings, difficulty forming attachments