Me 3.6a Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan: Infancy & Childhood

Question 1

separation anxiety

Answer 1

when a person feels excessive fear or anxiety when separated from a close attachment figure or anticipating separation

Question 2

contact comfort

Answer 2

the sense of ease that an infant experiences when they are in physical contact with their mother or other parental figure.

Question 2

attachment

Answer 2

An emotional tie with others; shown in young children by their seeking closeness to caregivers.

Question 3

secure base

Answer 3

a place of safety, represented by an attachment figure (e.g., a parent), that an infant uses as a base from which to explore a novel environment. The infant often returns or looks back to the parent before continuing to explore.

Question 4

Why are babies attracted to familiar people?

Answer 4

Soft warmth, rocking and feeding; and just mere familiarity

Question 5

imprinting

Answer 5

the process by which certain animals form strong attachments during early life.

Question 6

strange situation

Answer 6

a child is placed in an unfamiliar environment while their caregiver leaves and then returns, and the child’s reactions are observed.

Question 7

secure attachment

Answer 7

Demonstrated by infants who comfortably explore environments in the presence of their caregiver, show only temporary distress when the caregiver leaves, and find comfort in the caregiver’s return.

Question 8

insecure attachment

Answer 8

Generally negative parent–child relationship in which the child fails to display confidence when the parent is present, sometimes shows distress when the parent leaves, and reacts to the returning parent by avoidance

Question 9

disorganised attachment

Answer 9

A form of insecure attachment in which infants show no coherent or consistent behaviour during separation from and reunion with their parents.

Question 10

temperament

Answer 10

A person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity.

Question 11

basic trust

Answer 11

A sense that the world is predictable and trustworthy. Formed during infancy to babies with responsive caregivers.

Question 12

anxious attachment

Answer 12

People crave acceptance, but remain alert and give constant light to possible signs of rejection.

Question 13

avoidant attachment

Answer 13

where individuals tend to distance themselves emotionally, avoid intimacy, and prioritise independence, often due to past experiences of rejection or neglect.

Question 14

self-concept

Answer 14

all our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in answer to the question, “Who am I?” Developed by age 12

Question 15

self-esteem

Answer 15

how one feels about how they are.

Question 16

Authoritarian parents

Answer 16

parents are coercive. They impose rules and expect obedience. “Don’t interrupt.” “Keep your room clean.” “Don’t stay out late or you’ll be grounded.” “Why? Because I said so.”
“tiger mum”

Question 17

Permissive parents

Answer 17

parents are un-restraining. They make few demands, set few limits, and use little punishment.

Question 18

Negligent parents

Answer 18

uninvolved. They are neither demanding nor responsive. They are careless, inattentive, and do not seek to have a close relationship with their children.

Question 19

Authoritative parents

Answer 19

Confrontative. They are both demanding and responsive. They exert control by setting rules, but, especially with older children, they encourage open discussion and allow exceptions.