Infancy - Psychosocial Development

Question 1

What is temperament?

Answer 1

individual differences in behavioral styles, emotions, and characteristic ways of responding. With regard to its link to emotion, temperament refers to individual differences in how quickly the emotion is shown, how strong it is, how long it lasts, and how quickly it fades away.

Question 2

What factors influence infant temperament?

Answer 2

There are biological influences, there are also gender and cultural influences, also a child’s environment can influence temperament

Question 3

What are typical infant behaviors that illustrate the “trust vs. mistrust” stage of Erikson’s theory?

Answer 3

developing a sense of self, Phase 1: From birth to 2 months. Infants instinctively direct their attachment to human figures. Strangers, siblings, and parents are equally likely to elicit smiling or crying from the infant.

• Phase 2: From 2 to 7 months. Attachment becomes focused on one figure, usually the primary caregiver, as the baby gradually learns to distinguish familiar from unfamiliar people.
• Phase 3: From 7 to 24 months. Specific attachments develop. With increased locomotor skills, babies actively seek contact with regular caregivers, such as the mother or father.

Question 4

What are typical behaviors that illustrate the “autonomy vs. shame/doubt” stage of Erikson’s theory?

Answer 4

developing independence, Phase 4: From 24 months on. Children become aware of others’ feelings, goals, and plans and begin to take these into account in forming their own actions.

Question 5

Describe the 4 types of infant attachment; Secure, Insecure-avoidant, Insecure-resistant, insecure-disorganized:

Answer 5

Secure: use the caregiver as a secure base from which to explore the environment. When they are in the presence of their caregiver, securely attached infants explore the room and examine toys that have been placed in it. When the caregiver departs, securely attached infants might protest mildly, and when the caregiver returns these infants reestablish positive interaction with her, perhaps by smiling or climbing onto her lap. Subsequently, they often resume playing with the toys in the room.

Insecure-avoidant: show insecurity by avoiding the caregiver. In the Strange Situation, these babies engage in little interaction with the caregiver, are not distressed when she leaves the room, usually do not reestablish contact when she returns, and may even turn their back on her. If contact is established, the infant usually leans away or looks away

Insecure-resistant: often cling to the caregiver and then resist her by fighting against the closeness, perhaps by kicking or pushing away. In the Strange Situation, these babies often cling anxiously to the caregiver and don’t explore the playroom. When the caregiver leaves, they often cry loudly and then push away if she tries to comfort them on her return.

Insecure-disorganized: appear disoriented. In the Strange Situation, these babies might seem dazed, confused, and fearful. To be classified as disorganized, babies must show strong patterns of avoidance and resistance or display certain specified behaviors, such as extreme fearfulness around the caregiver.

Question 6

What role does culture play infant-caregiver attachment?

Answer 6

Those most infants show secure attachment across cultures, different attachments are more dominant in certain cultures.