Child Flashcards
Define evolution
The process whereby new species arise from existing species due to gradual changes in their genetic makeup over long periods of time (involving the processes of variation, adaptation, natural selection and speciation)
Define attachment
A two-way emotional bond in which an infant and the primary caregiver depend on each other
Define deprivation
When a child develops an attachment with the primary caregiver and something causes that attachment to be lost so the infant no longer has that attachment. Eg mother in hospital
Define privation
Lack of attachment figure. When a child has never had the opportunity to form an attachment with a caregiver (eg if the mother dies in childbirth)
Define separation anxiety
Distress caused by the absence of the primary caregiver
Define daycare
A situation where preschoolers are supervised and temporarily cared for by someone who is not the primary caregiver. Examples include nursery, crèche
What is child psychology
The development of the individual from before birth to adolescence and beyond
What we experience as children affects our later development
Describe the naturalistic observation research method
Takes place in ps natural setting Overt or covert Participant or non participant Qual (recorded story) or quan (tally) Inter observer reliability Example of M B Parten who looked at play
Evaluate the naturalistic observation research method
Strengths…
Ecologically valid
Reliable as well prepared and inter observer reliability
Weaknesses…
Not reliable as snap shot of time so not relatable
Not valid due to observers drift
Describe the structured observation research method
Set up observation in lab with sequence of tasks. Video cameras can be used or one-way mirrors
Observer records certain info in child’s behaviour, the antecedent, the behaviour and the consequence (ABC). The purpose of this is to find out what sets off the behaviour then to observe the actual behaviour and then see what happens to the child as a result of the behaviour. Problems in behaviour can arise at any of these stages eg the child may have been rewarded for their inappropriate behaviour and a structured observation can reveal this. Often video-taping or one-way mirror used to gather data
An example is Mary Ainsworths strange situation
Evaluate the structured observation research method
Strengths…
Reliable and repeatable due to strong controls which control extraneous variables which would otherwise change the child’s behaviour
Time and cost effective as don’t have to wait for spontaneous behaviour to occur
Inter-rather reliability, video recordings = valid
Weaknesses…
Lacks validity as situation set up in artificial setting. Natural behaviour not measured, lacks Eco.v
Lacks validity due to demand characteristics. Children may alter behaviour as they may guess the point of the study
Interpretation of data= subjective
Ethical issues that apply when studying children
2 MAIN ONES…
Ask parents or guardians for consent
Right to withdraw
OTHERS... Confidentiality Deceit Debriefing Competence Children's rights must be upheld
Examples of research into privation
Curtiss Genie
Koluchova: Czech twins
Freud and Dann: children in Terezin
Are the effects of privation reversible
Conclusions from Czech twins and Freud and Dann show that the effects are reversible. Czech twins grew up to be married, happy. Children of Terezin did same, though 1 or 2 had problems
Genie didn’t recover, developed some language, not normal. She was said to have learning difficulties very early on, so lack of reversibility could be due to this
From limited case studies it is difficult to know whether privation is reversible
How did Genie live before she was found
Physical and psychological problems associated with neglect
Beaten by her father
Fed baby food by her brother
Tied to potty chair in day, tied to crib at night
Locked in small room with very few toys
Compare 2 explanations for autism
Both explain autism by examining the lack of social skills
Extreme male brain- Increased testosterone is responsible for autism, theory of mind concerns developmental deficit
Both theories supported by experimental research, using experiments to assess social skills and perception/ cognitive ability
Practical application of Bowlby’s 44 juvenile thieves study
Encourage mothers to stay at home to reduce bond disruption
Offer accommodation for parents to stay with their children overnight in hospitals to avoid bond disruption
Foster earlier so that a bond can form with the new attachment before the sensitive period is over
Identify one cause of deprivation and explain the possible effects of this deprivation on the child’s development
Mother in hospital
Short term deprivation- protest, despair, detachment. Very distressed, become depressed. May ignore affection of caregiver when reunited
Explain ethical issues that may affect participants in privation research
Informed consent- child may be under legal guardianship of another who may give consent on their behalf, as the child itself cant give informed consent
Confidentiality- privation studies are rare, so child is identifiable through research. Genie was identified later in life. Pseudonyms are often given to protect the child’s identity
What happened to Genie after she was discovered
Cognitive, psychological and physical tests to assess her development
Fostered by researchers
Retuned to local authority care where she regressed and showed many of her original behaviours
Made emotional attachments to staff members, showing distress when separated from them
What are the benefits for child psychology of the cross-cultural research method
Different findings suggest the child’s behaviour is not universal, affected by culture
Universality allows us to apply theories of human behaviour more widely and be sure of their application
Conducting research in other countries ensures better generalisability
Mary Ainsworth found different attachment types in different cultures
Comparison of structured and naturalistic observations
Structured- more artificial, mostly in lab. May affect spontaneity of natural behaviour. More convenient and cost effective as they force a behaviour rather than waiting for a behaviour to occur spontaneously
