Lecture 17- Imaginary Companions Flashcards
What percentage of preschool children have one or more IC?
up to 65% of preschool have at least one IC
What gender tends to have ICs more?
females
What is the average age to have an IC?
2 to 4 years old
What type of children are more likely to have an IC?
first and only children are more likely
When are children most likely to play and interact with their IC?
children are most likely to acknowledge their IC when they are by themselves, often do not play with them in front of other children
Prior to the 20th century, how were ICs sometimes described as?
ICs may have been described in spiritual or religious terms
What did Dr Spock encourage parents to do to get rid of ICs?
Dr Spock encouraged parents to supply more “hugging and piggy backs rides”
he also encouraged that if a child still has an IC by the age of 4 mental help was encouraged
What are some characteristics of IC?
- mostly people
- 16% based off real people
- magical powers, unusual physical traits
- IC animals can often talk
- not all are friendly –> 3% are enemies
Why do children develop ICs?
- act as a scape goat/protecter
- help children overcome fears or anxieties
- controlling own behaviour
- surrogate for real friends
What happens to ICs?
- not spoken about
- replaced by new ICs
- parents take control
- child gets real friends
- child loses interest
- gradually vanish
What is an attachment object?
an attachment object could be a variety of inanimate objects that children may develop attachments to
- often soft toys and blankets
Why do children develop attachments to objects?
- transitional objects
- easing the passage between sleep and wake
- substitute for primary caregiver
