ecological theories

Question 1

ethological theories

Answer 1

• Attempts to understand behavior in terms of its adaptive or survival value (evolutionary context)
• Imprinting: newborns become attached to their mother at first sight and follow her everywhere; provides protection, food
  + Occurs during a sensitive period in infancy
• Extension of imprinting concept to infant emotional attachment

Question 2

evolutionary psychology

Answer 2

• Individuals with certain genes that predisposed adaptive, survival behaviour were more likely to pass down genes
  + obtaining food, avoiding predators, establishing social bonds
• Larger brains + slow development → neural plasticity for learning
• Play as an evolved form of social learning
• Parental-investment theory: parents make extensive investments in their offspring to ensure genetic survival

Question 3

correlation vs causation: genetic fathers vs stepfathers

Answer 3

• stepfathers more likely to act hostile or kill stepchildren

other factors that contribute
- other dysfunctions within the family
- no emotional attachment to child
- biological parents have more cognitive attachment since spent more time preparing for baby
- age of stepparent

Question 4

bioecological model

Answer 4

• Considers the child’s environment as composed of a series of nested structures that impact development
• Bronfenbrenner

Question 5

the influence of media

Answer 5

• sesame street had a positive impact on education
• concerns: violence, hate speech, cyberbullying, school grades, involvement in extremist groups, etc.
• how much screen time is too much?
  + no TV for children under 2 years of age
  + no more than 1 hour daily for those 2-5 years of age

Question 6

current perspectives

Answer 6

• Evolutionary: Incorporates genetic, evolutionary contributions
• Bioecological: Broad context of development, developmental complexity

Limitations
- Evolutionary: not testable, less emphasis on the active child
- Bioecological: lack of biological determinant factors