Early Childhood: Psychosocial Development

Question 1

emotional regulation

Answer 1

The ability to control when and how emotions are expressed.

Question 2

self concept

Answer 2

A person’s understanding of who they are, in morality, intelligence, appearance, personality, talents, and skills.

Question 3

rough-and-tumble

Answer 3

Play that seems to be rough, as in play wrestling or chasing, but in which there is no intent to harm.

Question 4

socio dramatic

Answer 4

Pretend play in which children act out various roles and themes in plots or roles that they create.

Question 5

Authoritarian parenting

Answer 5

The authoritarian parent’s word is law, not to be questioned. Misconduct brings strict punishment, usually physical. Authoritarian parents set down clear rules and hold high standards. Discussion about emotions and expressions of affection are rare. One adult raised by authoritarian parents said that “How do you feel?” had only two possible answers: “Fine” and “Tired.

As adolescents, they sometimes rebel, striking out on their own. As adults, they are quick to blame and punish.

Question 6

Permissive parents

Answer 6

Permissive parents (also called indulgent) make few demands. Discipline is lax, partly because expectations are low. Permissive parents are nurturing and accepting, listening to whatever their offspring say, which may include “I hate you” — a remark that authoritarian parents would not tolerate.

They tend to continue to live at home, still dependent on their parents in adulthood.

Question 7

Authoritative parenting

Answer 7

Authoritative parents set limits, but they are flexible. They consider themselves guides, not authorities (unlike authoritarian parents) and not friends (unlike permissive parents). The goal of punishment is for the child to understand what was wrong and what should have been done differently.

Question 8

Neglectful/uninvolved parenting

Answer 8

Neglectful parents are oblivious to their children’s behavior; they seem not to notice. Their children do whatever they want. The child’s behavior may be similar to those of the permissive parent, but the parents’ attitude is quite different: Neglectful parents do not care, whereas permissive parents care very much.

parents raise children who are immature, sad, lonely, and at risk of injury and abuse, not only in early childhood but also lifelong.

Question 9

corporal punishment

Answer 9

Disciplinary techniques that hurt the body (corpus) of someone, from spanking to serious harm, including death.

Question 10

psychological control

Answer 10

A disciplinary technique that involves threatening to withdraw love and support, using a child’s feelings of guilt and gratitude to the parents.

Question 11

induction

Answer 11

A disciplinary technique that involves explaining why a particular behavior was wrong. To be successful, explanation must be within the child’s ability to understand.

Question 12

empathy

Answer 12

The ability to understand the emotions and concerns of another person, especially when they differ from one’s own.

Question 13

antisocial behavior

Answer 13

Actions that are deliberately hurtful or destructive to another person.

Question 14

Instrumental aggression

Answer 14

Hurtful behavior that is aimed at gaining something (such as a toy, a place in line, or a turn on the swing) that someone else has

Question 15

Reactive aggression

Answer 15

An impulsive retaliation for a hurt (intentional or accidental) that can be verbal or physical

Question 16

Relational aggression

Answer 16

Nonphysical acts, such as insults or social rejection, aimed at harming the social connections between the victim and others

Question 17

Bullying aggression

Answer 17

Unprovoked, repeated physical or verbal attack, especially on victims who are unlikely to defend themselves

Question 18

prosocial behavior

Answer 18

Actions that are helpful and kind but that are of no obvious benefit to the person doing them.