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
