Child Development: Affective, Identity, and Social Growth

Posted on Jan 28, 2025 in Psychology and Sociology

Week 1: The Affective Domain

  • Domains of Development: Cognitive, Social-Emotional, Physical (interrelated).
  • Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura): Learning through observation.
  • Key Components:
    • Self-efficacy: Belief in ability to control behavior.
    • Behavioral capability: Skills to perform behavior.
    • Expectations: Outcomes of behavior change.
    • Observational learning: Watching others.
    • Reinforcement: Incentives for behavior change.
  • Ecological Systems Theory (Bronfenbrenner): Development influenced by environment:
    • Microsystems, Mesosystems, Exosystems, Macrosystems, Chronosystems.

Week 2: Identity (Carl Rogers – Humanism)

  • Self-concept: Information, ideas, beliefs about oneself.
  • Self-esteem: Satisfaction level with self.
  • Resilience: Ability to bounce back.
  • Risk Factors: Peer rejection, premature birth.
  • Protective Factors: Family support, problem-solving skills, teacher expectations

Week 3: Self-Regulation (Kopp)

  • Phases of Self-Regulation:
      • Neurophysiological modulation (0-3 months).
      • Sensorimotor modulation (3-12 months).
      • Control (12-18 months).
      • Self-control (24+ months).
      • Self-regulation (36+ months).
  • Locus of Control:
    • Internal: Self is responsible.
    • External: Outside factors control outcomes.

Week 4: Development of Emotions

  • Primary Emotions: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust, Surprise.
  • Changes: Emotional contagion, Serve and return.
  • Theories: James Lange – physiological reactions interpreted as emotions.
  • Group Differences: Gender, family, culture impact emotional expression.

Week 5: Social Competency

  • Social Information Processing Theory: Learn through stimuli, elaboration, memory storage, retrieval.
  • Selman’s Stages of Perspective Taking:
    • Level 1 (4-9 years) – Different perspectives.
    • Level 2 (7-12 years) – Understanding others’ views.
  • Social Cognition: Learn by observing and thinking.
  • Fostering Social Competency: Role play, empathy modeling.

Week 6: Moral Development

  • Piaget’s Stages: Younger than 10 – rules are fixed; Older than 10 – rules can change.
  • Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development: Six stages from avoiding punishment to principled morality.
  • Teacher’s Role: Encourage respect, debates, diverse viewpoints.

Week 7: Community (McMillan & Chavis)

  • Elements of Community:
    • Membership: Belonging.
    • Influence: Power relationships.
    • Fulfillment of Needs: Purpose.
    • Shared Emotional Connection: Significant events.
  • Building Community: Activities like camps, sports, ceremonies.
  • Negative Aspects: Groupthink, isolation, loss of individuality.

Week 8: Development Influences

  • Nature (Genetics): Eye color, height, genetic conditions.
  • Nurture (Environment): Social skills, intelligence, relationships.
  • Risk Factors: Economic hardship, cultural diversity.
  • Positive Factors: Supportive family, healthcare, strong school connections.

Week 9: Brain Development

  • Neurons & Synapses: Pruning strengthens frequently used connections.
  • Big 5 Personality Traits (Goldberg): Openness, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Extroversion, Neuroticism.
  • Limbic System: Emotional responses.
  • Prefrontal Cortex: Information processing.

Week 10: Physical Domain & Activity

  • Types of Physical Activity:
    • Acute (e.g., 20 mins walking).
    • Regular (e.g., PE, after-school fitness).
  • Effects on Learning:
    • Improves brain structure (frontal cortex), cognitive function, academic achievement.

Week 11: Physical Skill Development

  • Motor Skills:
    • Gross: Large muscles (running, walking).
    • Fine: Small muscles (writing, picking objects).
  • Impact Factors: Genes, food, climate, exercise, medical conditions.
  • Development Considerations: Provide daily opportunities for motor skill improvement.