Child/Developmental Disorders Flashcards
Bobo doll experiment
Bandura (1963)
Argues that people can learn new information and behaviours by watching others and imitating them ‘modelling’
Children who observed their caregiver being aggressive towards the bobo doll were more likely to be aggressive towards it too
What is modelling?
When children learn from observing their parents’ behaviour
Children with parents with anxiety are ___ times more likely to develop an anxiety disorder
7
Critique of modelling
It is hard to determine what is genetic and what is modelled
Winnicott (1896-1971)
Found that children who remained in the cities with their loved ones during the blitz fared better than those who were evacuated
They were taller, more psychologically at ease and put on weight more easily
What is the conclusion from Winicott’s study?
Children who stayed with their parents had someone who could meet their needs as they were well understood
Bowlby’s attachment theory
We have an innate need to attach
Attachment behaviours serve to keep the caregiver close, improving the child’s chance of survival
What is an attachment?
A lasting psychological connectedness between human beings
Fahlberg’s arousal-relaxation cycle
Baby rests Baby experiences discomfort or need Baby protests (cries) Caregiver responds Baby calms and trust develops Baby plays and interacts with mother Repeats
Internal working model
Child’s expectation of themselves and others
Guides behaviour, relationships and emotional development
If needs are met they learn that they are lovable, worthy and other people are trustworthy
Ainsworth Strange Situation (1970)
3 attachment styles
Secure
Avoidant
Ambivalent
Children placed in situation with their caregiver and allowed to play
Many different stages including the caregiver leaving the room and the introduction of a stranger
Secure attachment
Caregiver comes when the child has a need
Child uses caregiver as safe base for exploration
Soothed by attachment figure when distressed
Insecure avoidant attachment
Do not orient to their attachment figure
Very independent as they have learned that their caregiver does not come when they have a need
Do not seek caregiver upon distress
Insecure ambivalent attachment
Commonly exhibits clingy and dependent behaviour but will be rejecting of the attachment figure when they engage in interaction
Child doesn’t develop any feelings of security from caregiver
Difficulty moving away from caregiver to explore
Difficult to soothe
Results from an inconsistent response from the caregiver to their needs
Main & Solomon (1990)
Added disorganised to the attachment types
Why is research in children not as extensive as in adults?
Ethics
Hard to recruit
Cultural beliefs that children don’t get mental health problems
Only short-term funding
Why is it complicated to learn about mental health in children?
Children keep developing over time, it is hard to distinguish what is transient and what is more permanent
Children have limited language - may not be able to explain their feelings well
Children are often not the ones highlighting the problem
What is externalising?
Outward direction of mental health problems
May result in ADHD
More common in early-middle childhood
What is internalising?
Inward direction of mental health problems
May result in anxiety and depression
More common in middle childhood to adolescence
What are some risks for mental health issues in children?
Genetics
Temperament (pessimistic vs optimistic thinking)
Socio-cognitive deficits (academic difficulties)
Difficulties in emotion regulation
What are some resilience factors for mental health issues in young people?
Secure attachment
Parenting style
Family resources - more affluent families tend to fare better
Children exposed to domestic violence or who have disabilities have an almost _____ risk of accompanying mental health needs
50%
Domestic abuse-related crimes recorded by the police accounted for ____ of violent crimes (______)
32%
ONS England and Wales (2017)
How do clinical psychologists make an assessment of a child’s mental health?
Look at context of development
Consider the harm any behaviour causes
Look at systems
