Growing up in a family Flashcards
Does childhood experience predict adult attachment style? What study was performed? What were 3 results?
Longitudinal study that assessed quality of caregiving based on maternal sensitivity, maternal depression, and father absence. Results showed that (1) less supportive parenting predicts insecure attachment style at 18 years. (2) Avoidance is predicted by low maternal sensitivity and lack of father, and (3) anxiety is predicted by maternal depression
What study was performed on daycare and attachment style?
Study measured childcare quality and attachment style, child’s behavior and mother’s interaction with child. Results indicates that childcare has no effect on attachment style, however, poor childcare and low maternal sensitivity does result in insecure attachment.
A good daycare compensates for what?
For poor parenting
What is discipline?
Set of strategies parents used to teach children to behave
What is internalization?
Effective disciplines lead to internalization, the process by which a child learns and accepts reasons for desired behaviors.
What are two ways to foster internalization?
- Reasoning that focuses on effect of behavior on others
- Psychological pressure
What does too little psychological pressure create? What does too much? What is just right?
Too little = not taken seriously and disobedience
Too much = comply only if there is a risk and rebellion later
Just right = slightly raised voice and stern look
What are some general discipline guidelines?
Set limits and enforce rule
Give attention to good behavior and ignore bad ones
Give consequences and always follow through
time-out: works best when specific rules is broken after warning
What are the two dimensions of parenting style?
- Discipline/control
- Sensitivty/warmth
What are the four parenting styles (just name)?
- Authoritative
- Authoritarian
- Permissive
- Uninvolved
What is authoritative parenting?
High-sensitivity and high discipline parents establish clear limits, form enforcement and explain reasoning behind discipline. They also allow for autonomy within limits and are attentive to children’s needs.
What is the outcome of authoritative parenting?
Higher self-esteem, social skills and academic performance
What is authoritarian parenting?
High-discipline and low-sensitivity parents are insensitive to a child’s needs; expect them to comply and use threats and punishment.
What are the outcomes for authoritarian parenting?
Hostility towards parents, no internalization, rebellion in adolescence, low self-esteem, more psychological issues and lower social competence
What is permissive parenting?
High sensitivity but low control; permissive parents respond to children’s needs but are overly lenient, and children don’t have to regulate themselves. Results in children with higher impulsivity, less self-control, and lower grades.
What is uninvolved parenting?
Low sensitivity and low control; they are disengaged with parenting. Creates struggle with self-worth, insecure attachment styles, lower social competence, and lower grades.
What is helicopter parenting?
Overbearing parents due to close attention to all problems and will solve problemss for children. Sends the message that the child is incompetent. Children have more anxiety and depressio, less self-efficacy and poorer academic peformance.
What is gentle parenting?
Poorly defined but generally refers to high warmth and focus on regulation of emotions. Discipline focuses on natural consequences and is most similar to permissive parenting.
What are the differences in parenting between mothers and fathers?
Mothers: spend 1.5 hours more with children daily and provides more physical and emotional support
Fathers: plays more with children
Both equally important
Parenting across culture: what is common between all nationalities studied?
They all reported teaching children about good and bad behaviors and they all reported not withdrawing love as a punishment
Parenting across cultures: what did Italian parents do most?
Yell
Parenting across cultures: what did Kenyan parents do most?
Most likely to threaten punishment, but less likely to take away privileges
What is the difference between Chinese and American parenting?
Chinese parents are more likely to use authoritarian parenting; however, it is much less negative for Chinese children than for American children (probably because it is the norm)
Is spanking effective?
60% of children are spanked; however, years of research show that it causes less internalization of rules, more aggression, difficult relationships with parents, more mental health issues, and lower self-esteem
What is the influence of children on parenting?
They have a big influence on parenting, warmth children will encourage more warm parenting
What is the coercive cycle?
Negative cycle where children with difficult temperament will yell and throw tantrums. It leads to two potentials negative outcomes:
1. Child’s give up = reinforces idea that harsh parenting is useful
2. Parent gives up = reinforce idea that tantrums are useful
How to break the coercive cycle?
Set clear limits and follow through on punishment consistently
What is the role of shared genes?
Parent and child’s behavior can also be influenced by shared genes, therefore children’s outcomes is not solely dependent on parenting styles
Today, first-time parents are…?
Older, more educated, have higher incomes, have fewer children, are less likely to get divorced, and are more authoritative
Today, same-sex parents are…?
12% of parents and children have same outcomes, no differences
Today, divorce is…?
The outcome of 30-45% of marriage
The impact of divorce on children depends on what?
Age: Children under 12 years old experience more internalizing (anxiety and depression) and externalizing (impuslivity, disobedicence, aggression) symptoms. Children over 12 usually experience poorer academic performance
Do the effects of divorce last?
No, children usually rapidly bounce back, except for 10%
What two factors make divorces harder to adjust to?
- Multiple changes (new home, new family, new school, etc.)
- Parental conflict (child as mediator)
However, divorce can be positive; how?
If parents had a lot of conflict before divorce, it can actually improve the psychological well-being of children.
Does the quality of sibling relationships matter?
Yes, it is a predictor for depression and social withdrawal and behavioral issues
What are two factors that predict a positive sibling relationship?
1) Siblings treated as equal by parents (not true only if the less favored child is: older, views it as justified, or in collectivist culture)
2. Parents get along: models positive relationship and less competition for attention
What are some ways that make siblings similar?
Genetic influence and shared environment
What are some ways that make siblings different?
Genetic influence: different temperament -> interprets parenting styles differently
Non-shared environment: different parental treatment. different family context, birth order, peers, etc.
Is the birth order idea true? Why?
No, no meaningful effects of birth order. It persist because of confirmation bias and also people mistake age for birth order (older siblings will always be more responsible)
Children in low SES face…? Why?
Lower grades, more behavioral issues and depression/anxiety. Because of material hardship, more stress, and less parental involvement.
Children in high SES face…? Why?
More drug abuse, and more anxiety/depression. Because of less present parentsa (at work) and more pressure
