Socio-emotional Development Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is empathy in psychological terms?
An affective response based on understanding another’s emotional state, where the response is identical or very similar to what the other person is feeling; it requires distinguishing between one’s own and another’s emotions.
How is empathy different from sympathy and personal distress?
• Empathy: Shared emotional state; motivates prosocial, helping behavior
• Sympathy: Concern for another’s distress without sharing the emotion
• Personal distress: Self-focused discomfort in response to another’s distress; leads to avoidance
What are the key differences between empathy and personal distress?
• Empathy is other-focused; personal distress is self-focused
• Empathy leads to approach and helping; personal distress leads to avoidance
• Both involve shared affective states, but with different motivations
Why is empathy considered a complex and evolved emotional capacity?
• It requires both emotional resonance and cognitive differentiation of self and other
• It supports social bonding, cooperation, and moral development
• It is more likely to evolve in highly social species
How does empathy relate to shame in Romanes’ hierarchy of emotions?
Both require awareness of others’ perceptions; shame involves internalizing social norms and imagining how others see you, while empathy involves emotionally resonating with others’ experiences.
What role does empathy play in social and moral development?
It enables individuals to understand and respond to others’ needs, fostering altruism, cooperation, and moral reasoning.
What early ability supports the development of empathy?
Recognition of facial expressions; infants are drawn to faces from ~1 month and can respond to emotional expressions by 3 months.
What does the Still Face Experiment demonstrate about infant development?
• Infants expect emotional reciprocity from caregivers
• When caregivers become unresponsive, infants show distress, confusion, and disengagement
• Highlights the importance of contingent social interaction for emotional development
How do 3-month-old infants respond to different caregiver facial expressions?
• Joy: Increased smiling
• Sadness: Increased mouthing (ambiguous communicative attempt)
• Anger: Decreased interest, increased stillness (possible freezing response)
What factors can disrupt early emotional development and empathy?
• Maternal depression or chronic stress
• Intrusive or unresponsive caregiving
• Lack of contingent interaction with the infant
What are the long-term effects of disrupted early caregiving?
• Impaired emotional regulation
• Insecure attachment
• Increased risk of anxiety, depression, and social difficulties
What is secure attachment and why is it important?
A bond formed through sensitive, responsive caregiving; it supports emotional regulation, empathy, and healthy social relationships throughout life.
How does culture influence emotional development and empathy?
• Cultural norms shape emotional expression, eye contact, and caregiving practices
• Community-based caregiving (e.g., in Indigenous cultures) can buffer against stress and promote resilience
How does bilingualism affect early language and empathy development?
Bilingual children may show delayed expressive language early on; however, they often develop strong cognitive flexibility and social awareness later.
Can early life stress be overcome?
Yes; the brain is plastic, and with support, therapy, and positive relationships, individuals can recover and thrive despite early adversity.
