Emotional Development

Question 1

What is emotional development?

Answer 1

Emotional development is the way an individual begins to feel about and value themselves and other people, forms the basis of emotional literacy (Ability to recognise, understand and appropriately express emotions) , empathy (Ability to understand another person’s situation or feelings). Emotional development begins with attachment (Strong emotional attachment) which an infant form to main caregiver, it ensues a positive self-image (View of themselves) and self-esteem (Feelings about themselves).

Question 2

How does emotional development change in infancy?

Answer 2

Infancy 0-2 years
Attachment
Bowlby 1953 argued that infants have an inbuilt need to form an attachment with their carer. The attachment quality will impact development for the rest of the child’s life. Ainsworth (1978) and Marris (1996) argued that the quality of our early attachment includes the assumptions we make about ourselves and others. Infants who grew up securely attached with the emotional resources needed to cope with uncertainty in life. Infants who are insecurely attached may have a reduced ability to cope with stress and major life events.

Question 3

How does emotional development change in Early childhood?

Answer 3

Early Childhood 3-8 years
Understanding self and others
Children use the imagination to understand the social roles which other people play; children begin to imagine an idea of self-concept. Family relationship[s may influence a child’s value or self-worth. The relationships between teachers and friends may influence their self-confidence. The child may develop a permanent confidence, or they could develop a sense of inferiority

Question 4

How does emotional development change in Adolescence?

Answer 4

Adolescence 9-18 years
Identity
During adolescence, the sense of self continues to develop. An adolescent need to develop a secure self-concept. A person needs a clear understanding of identity to feel secure in teamwork and sexual attachment. This may be a stressful time as self-esteem affects developing a sense of identity.

Question 5

How does emotional development change in Early/middle adulthood?

Answer 5

Early/ Middle adulthood 19-65 years Intimacy
In adulthood, an individual’s self-esteem is influenced by lifestyle such as their job or marital status. Self-image is affected by personal appearance and how others see you, individuals may need to cope with emotional attachment to a sexual partner, this may involve being not too self-centred, defensive, or emotionally isolated

Question 6

How does emotional development change in later adulthood?

Answer 6

Later Adulthood 65+ years
Making sense of your life
Older people need a secure sense of self to enable coping with physical changes associated with ageing and death. People who fail to make sense of their lives may experience emotional despair

Question 7

What is attachment to caregivers?

Answer 7

A secure attachment to a main caregiver means that the child will feel secure, loved and have a sense of belonging. Caregivers are the secure base from which children explore the world around them. They are protectors and help the child to feel happy, secure and confident. It is important that parents ensure that children have the physical, mental and emotional nourishment to develop healthily.

Question 8

What is the effect of secure attachments?

Answer 8

Secure attachments in childhood lead to happier and healthier attachments with loved ones in the future.

Question 9

What is the effect of a lack of healthy attachment?

Answer 9

If there is a lack of healthy attachment, a mistrust of caregivers or adults in authority could develop. Insecure attachments could lead to behavioural issues, lack of ability to receive affection and/or manipulative behaviour. Children may not develop the sense of secure base necessary to cope with life events.

Question 10

What was Bowlby’s attachment theory?

Answer 10

John Bowlby refers to attachment and enduring emotional bond that connects a child to their primary caregiver.
His attachment theory originated during the 1930’s. While working as a child psychiatric treating many disturbed children. Bowlby began to consider a child’s relationship with their mother. Bowlby linked the importance of social, emotional and cognitive development to the relationship a child had with their mother. He believed that children were biologically programmed to form attachments and that infancy is a critical period for forming positive attachments. This led Bowlby to consider problems associated with early separation from primary caregiver.

Question 11

What did Bowlby observe when working with Robertson?

Answer 11

Working with James Robertson, Bowlby observed that children experienced separation anxiety (Intense distress when separated from mothers). The distress and anxiety did not disappear even when being fed by another carer. Bowlby suggested that attachment could be understood as evolving from the caregiver providing safety and security for the infant. According to Bowlby, infants have a universal need to seek proximity with their caregiver when under stress or feeling threatened.

Question 12

What are some criticisms of Bowlby’s theory?

Answer 12

Critics argue that Bowlby oversimplified his theory. Rutter argues that maternal deprivation ( being deprived of caregiver who you’re attached to) may not result in long-term problems , he suggests that privation (being deprived of opportunity to form attachment) is far more damaging. Privation occurs because of not having the opportunity to form attachments or forming poor quality attachments (due to lack of social or intellectual stimulation). Bowlby believed that attachment is a natural, biological process, others suggest it is behaviour influenced by factors such as the environment ,culture, and babies’ temperament

Question 13

What have research by Schaffer and Emerson suggested?

Answer 13

Research by Schaffer and Emerson suggests that babies are likely to form attachments to caregivers who respond effectively to their signals (Plays and communicates with them) , this is referred to a sensitive responsiveness.

Question 14

What happens at different age ranges?

Answer 14

Up to 3 months
Respond indiscriminately to any caregiver
3-7 Months
Infants can distinguish difference between main caregiver and others, will accept care from others.
7-9 Months
Infant looks to particular people for security, comfort, and protection. Baby shows fear of strangers, and unhappiness when separated from main caregiver, some infants may experience more stranger anxiety.
9 months+
The baby starts to become more independent and form multiple attachments.

Question 15

Why may attachment not go smoothly?

Answer 15

Attachment may not go smoothly because of:
Prematurity- A premature baby may be in an incubator, which means they cannot be picked up/held, affecting the attachment process
Disability- Some parents may struggle attaching to a child with disabilities and some babies may suffer from attachment difficulties
Emotional unavailability- Parents with alcohol/drug abuse or illness, or struggling with parenting
Foster care/adoption- Children in foster care may experience inconsistent caregivers which may affect attachment
Post-natal depression- PND will affect mother’s ability to bond with baby
Separation- Due to illness, bereavement or divorce will affect babies sense of identity

Question 16

What is positive self-esteem?

Answer 16

Positive self-esteem is an important part of emotional wellbeing. Self-esteem involves self-confidence and self-acceptance. In children, self-esteem is shaped by what they think and feel about themselves. Children with a high self-esteem have it easier with relationships, resisting peer pressure, making friends, and handling conflicts. Children with a positive self-esteem have a generally optimistic view of the world and their life in general. Babies and infants can achieve a growing sense of self and a positive self-esteem through the attachments they develop with main caregivers.

Question 17

What happens between 0-18 months?

Answer 17

0-18 Months During infancy, babies start to build self-esteem by having their basic needs met, for example- closeness, love, comfort. Babies gradually become aware that they’re loved as their primary caregivers provide comfort, care, love and protection, this indicates to the infant their importance, safety and security

Question 18

What happens at 18 months- 2 years

Answer 18

18 months- 2 years Although infants have not yet developed a clear understanding of self-esteem, every time they learn a new skill, they realise what they can achieve and learn about themselves. If infants are shown love by their primary caregivers and treated as special, this impacts on self-esteem. Infants who feel unloved may find it difficult to develop self-love and self-value

Question 19

What happens at age four?

Answer 19

By the time a child reaches the age of four, positive self-esteem is reinforced by what the child can do successfully and independently and also the carer feedback. Parents and carers can help a child’s self-esteem by teaching problem-solving skills, they should include children in tasks which demonstrate a sense of accomplishment, asking children for their opinions and introducing children to social settings. Parents can encourage children to accept failure and success and see it as a learning process.

Question 20

What happens to a child with low self-esteem?

Answer 20

Children with a low self-esteem become passive, withdrawn, depressed, they find it difficult to deal with problems, they are self-critical and speak negatively about themselves. Factors such as difficulty completing schoolwork, bullying, not having friends, stress at home, sibling rivalry, parents arguing can influence a child’s outlook and cause them to be pessimistic about themselves and their life.

Question 21

What happens at adolescence regarding self-esteem?

Answer 21

The physical and emotional changes which occur during puberty and adolescence can present new challenges to young people. Fitting in peer groups and gaining acceptance is very important. Young people will learn from their mistakes and take responsibility for their own actions. Self-esteem can become fragile and may change from day to day. Many teenagers become overly concerned about their physical appearance and how they are viewed and accepted by their peers. Body image is an essential part of a young person’s self-esteem, young people with a poor body image can experience a low self-esteem.

Question 22

What may be the cause of low self-esteem?

Answer 22

Low self-esteem may be caused by poor school achievement, behaviour problems, bullying, teenage pregnancy, smoking, alcohol, drugs. Other factors include refusing to go to school, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Question 23

What may affect self-image?

Answer 23

Self-esteem is not fixed and may fluctuate through the life stages. In adulthood, factors that affect self-esteem may change. Career development and other personal development will increase a person’s self-worth while stress and difficult life events may cause lack of confidence and self-esteem

Question 24

What is self-image?

Answer 24

Self-image is a mental picture/personal view a person has about themselves.
Self-image is determined in early childhood by quality of social interaction and influence of caregivers/ parents. A parent who makes positive comments about a child’s appearance consistently lays the foundations for a positive self-image, negative comments or ignorance will result in negative self-image.

Question 25

How may self-image develop?

Answer 25

An individual’s self-image doesn’t always reflect reality. During adolescence, physical appearance becomes important due to bodily changes and unwanted physical characteristics (acne). Self-image is also how a person thinks, feels and reacts to self-perceived physical attributes. A negative body image can lead to psychological problems such as anxiety, eating disorders and a negative self-worth.
Self-image can also be affected by social roles. These influence the views other have and our self-definition. Roles such as learner, parent or member of football team helps recognise the status of an individual and behavioural guidelines. Life events, roles and status influence personal traits that can influence self-image .
Older people define themselves via status “I am a mother” “I am a midwife”