emotional development Flashcards
what are emotions?
emotions are complex reactions to the envt.
- subjective feeling
- desire to take action / ctrl envt
- physiological rxns
- cognition
what does the discrete emotions theory state?
- emotions are innate
- emotions tied to specific body/facial reactions
- emotions and rxns present at birth
what does the functionalist emotions theory state?
- emotions have functions
- envt influences emotions
- emotions emerge w experience
what are the 2 emotion theories?
- discrete emotions theory
- functionalist emotions theory
babies begin to express emotions at birth.
what emotions can they express?
- interest
- disgust
- distress - generalised negative response
what positive emotions appear in a child’s 1st year of life?
1 mth: smiles triggered by envt
2-3 mths: voluntary, social smiles
3-4 mths: laughter
7 mths: preference for familiar ppl
when do babies express anger distinct from distress?
4-8 mths
what negative emotions appear in a baby?
4-8 mths: anger distinct from distress
6-7 mths: fear of strangers
7-12 mths: fear of loud toys, sudden movements
8-15 mths: separation anxiety (emerges from 7 mths, peaks 8-10 mths, disappears 2nd year of life)
what age do babies start to be self-conscious?
age 2 (18-24 mths)
what are some self-conscious emotions?
- pride
- embarrassment
- shame (focus on self)
- guilt (focus on others)
what are the 3 components in understanding others’ emotions?
- identifying emotions
- understanding causes of emotions
- understanding real/false emotions
emotional ___________ is present in very young infants. it indicates an awareness of ________, but not necessarily any __________.
contagion; emotions; understanding
in identifying emotions, state what each state can do?
a) 4-7 mths.
b) 7 mths.
c) 8-12 mths.
4-7 mths: can distinguish some emotional expressions, but do not understand meaning
7 mths: connect emotions to facial expressions and tone of voice
8-12 mths: relate emotions to causes in the world - permits social referencing
what can 2-5 year-old children do in identifying emotions?
- huge increase in ability to identifying emotions
- appearance of emotion language
- label simple emotions like happy, sad, surprise, angry
- use situational info
what can 6-10 year-old children do in identifying emotions?
- label more complex emotions (shame, guilt, pride)
- recognise that someone else can feel 2 conflicting emotions too
children identify the causes of different emotions at different ages. what are the emotions at:
2-3 yrs
4yrs
4-6yrs
7yrs
2-3 yrs: happiness
4yrs: sadness
4-6yrs: fear and anger
7yrs: shame, guilt, pride, jealousy
*children living in dangerous envt can identify fear and anger earlier on
what 2 changes do chidlren’s emotions go through in order to recognise fake emotions?
- skill: become better at inhibiting/masking emotions
- learn: gradual increase in awareness of display rules
with regards to fake emotions, 3 year-old children can attempt to ____________ negative emotions, while 5 year-old children can understand the difference between __________ and ____________ emotions.
disguise; external; internal
**external emotions - expressed outwardly
internal emotions - felt inside, may not be expressed
what are display rules?
display rules govern what kinds of emotional expressions are considered appropriate.
- vary across cultures
- children begin to learn display rules from infancy
- continue to learn cultural specific display rules throughout early and middle chidhood
It isn’t always appropriate to express what you are feeling. we have to _________ our emotions by initiating, inhibiting or modulating various components or emotions.
regulate
we have to regulate our emotions by _________, ___________ or ____________ various components of emotions like ___________ feelings, _________, ________________ processes, ______________.
inhibiting, initiating, modulating
internal; behaviour; physiological; cognitions
what are the 3 developmental patterns for how we regulate our emotions?
- caregiver to self
- behavioural to cognitive
- selecting appropriate strategies
one of the 3 developmental patterns for regulating emotions is “caregiver to self”. how does that develop?
birth-5 mths: parents regulate arousal
**parents help infants maintain an optimal level of arousal by responding to their needs promptly. eg., when an infant is crying due to hunger, discomfort, or overstimulation, the parent may feed, soothe, or comfort the baby to help regulate their arousal levels.
6 mths: self-soothe, avert attention
1-2 yrs: behavioural distraction
3-4 yrs: language
one of the 3 developmental patterns for regulating emotions is “behavioural to cognitive”. how does that develop?
young childen attempt to distract themselves by engaging in different behaviours
older children use more cognitive strategies:
think abt something else
reappraise situation - was it really that bad?
plan ways to solve problem
what are 2 factors affecting individual differences in emotions?
- temperament (genes)
- socialisation
how do parents influence individual differences in emotion?
via socialisation
- how children view self and others
if parents dismiss child’s feelings, react with hostility, can lead to more aggression, more negative emotions and poor coping strategies - level of emotional arousal
if parents very intense, children also very intense - models of emotions and regulation
- dsicussion of emotions allows children to learn to recognise emotions
- when and how to express - learn to inhibit negative impulses like hitting
- strategies for regulating emotions
discussion of ___________ during childhood can lead to more ____________, and better ________ strategies in adulthood.
emotions; introspection; coping
what do poor emotion regulation and negative emotionality predict?
- antisocial behaviour
- unemployment
- anxiety/depression
- difficulties socially and academically
in the past, how do researchers study moral development?
present moral dilemmas and see how participants repond.
what is the major assumption for normative development?
development is due to cognitive abilities, though there are some social influences
by around 10 years old, moral development is completed. whose theory is this?
Jean Piaget
who challenged piaget’s theory that moral development is completed by age 10?
Lawrence Kohlberg
what are the 3 levels of kohlberg’s stages?
level 1: preconventional morality
level 2: conventional morality
level 3: postconventional morality
what are stages 1 and 2 under preconventional morality? describe.
stage 1: punishment and obedience
- ignore intentions
- focus on consequences
stage 2: instrumental purpose orientation
- what is right is what satisfies needs
- exhange theory “give and take”
what are stages 5 and 6 under postconventional morality? describe.
stage 5: social-contract orientation
- laws are flexible instruments for human purposes
- follow when consistent with human rights and ethical principles
stage 6: universal ethical principle orientation
- self-chosen ethical principles (based on abstract values such as justice, equality, and human dignity, rather than specific cultural or religious norms)
- abstract values
**Stage 6 represents the highest developed form of moral reasoning characterized by a deep commitment to ethical principles that transcend individual interests or societal norms. Individuals at this stage demonstrate a strong sense of moral autonomy and integrity, guided by their own conscience and a commitment to upholding universal values of justice, fairness, and human rights.
what are stages 3 and 4 under conventional morality? describe.
stage 3: “good boy/girl” orientation
- win approval of others by being a good person
stage 4: social order maintaining orientation
- prioritise personal duty
*personal duty - adherence to societal expectations and fulfilling one’s role within the social structure rather than pursuing individual interests or desires like in stages 1, 2 and 3
what are the approximate ages of children reasoning at level 1: preconventional morality?
2-10 years
what are the approximate ages of children reasoning at level 2: conventional morality?
9 years
what are the approximate ages of children reasoning at level 3: postconventional morality?
12 years +
what are 3 limitations of kohlberg’s theories?
- vague and inconsistent (changed the number of stages several times, difficult to classify individuals into just 1 stage)
- cross-culturally invalid (not all cultures progress through his stages)
- gender biases (only middle-class white boys)
describe Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development
stage 1: preconventional
- individual survival is all that matters
stage 2: conventional
- salf-sacrifice is good in its own right and driven by care for others
stage 3: postconventional
- care about others and care about self are integrated
what are the 5 innate moral modules under Jonathan Haidt’s Moral Foundations Theory?
1) Care/harm
2) Fairness/reciprocity
3) Loyalty/betrayal
4) Authority/respect
5) Sanctity/Purity
