Developmental Psychology Overview

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Questions and Answers

What best describes the shift in regulation as children develop?

A shift from internal to external regulation

A consistent reliance on both internal and external regulation

An increased dependence on external rewards

A shift from external to internal regulation (correct)

Which strategy is NOT associated with moral disengagement?

Obscuring personal causation

Vilifying the victim

Recognizing personal responsibility (correct)

Excusing the behavior

What does 'theory of mind' refer to in developmental psychology?

The understanding that everyone has the same thoughts

The belief that one's thoughts influence reality

The ability to understand the unique perspectives and thoughts of others (correct)

A cognitive process that disregards others' preferences

Why might a child offer a biscuit instead of broccoli to a researcher who visibly enjoys broccoli?

The child has not yet developed an understanding of others' perspectives Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best captures the relationship between moral reasoning and moral conduct?

Moral reasoning does not consistently predict moral conduct Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates positive modeling for children?

Children witnessing adults engaging in altruistic behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of moral disengagement?

Justifying harmful actions through rationalizations Signup and view all the answers

How do children typically start to understand their individuality according to social cognition?

By recognizing that they are distinct from others with differing viewpoints Signup and view all the answers

What behaviour characterizes securely attached children during reunions with their caregiver?

They seek proximity, are effectively comforted, and resume exploration. Signup and view all the answers

Which attachment style is characterized by a child's excessive focus on exploration at the expense of closeness?

Insecure Avoidant Attachment Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant outcome associated with secure attachment in children as shown by longitudinal studies?

Better peer relationships in middle childhood Signup and view all the answers

Disorganised attachment is primarily a result of what type of caregiver behaviour?

Caregivers being a source of fear or trauma Signup and view all the answers

What behaviour is typically observed in children with insecure anxious-ambivalent attachment?

A strong desire for proximity leading to ongoing anxiety Signup and view all the answers

How is attachment defined in the context of child development?

As a relationship construct between the child and caregiver Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following attachment styles is not classified as secure or insecure?

Disorganised Attachment Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of children with insecure avoidant attachment?

They tend to avoid contact even when distressed. Signup and view all the answers

How can a child demonstrate variability in attachment styles with different caregivers?

A child can be securely attached to one caregiver and insecurely attached to another. Signup and view all the answers

What factor may alter a child's early attachment classification?

Changing life circumstances and caregiving environments. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of the 'strange situation' procedure with older children?

It becomes less effective as children grow older. Signup and view all the answers

Which alternative assessment method can help understand a child's feelings about separation?

Storytelling approaches. Signup and view all the answers

How does parenting influence attachment development in children?

It plays a significant role in how secure or insecure a child feels. Signup and view all the answers

What describes the mutual influence between parents and children regarding attachment?

Children affect their caregivers through their temperament. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a sensitive parent?

Noticing and interpreting infant signals accurately. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily highlights the influence of an infant on attachment relationships?

Infants influence parent-child relationships through their behaviors and characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes daily hassles from major life events?

Daily hassles are minor events that can be more stressful cumulatively. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of emotion-focused coping?

Talking about feelings related to a conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of avoidant coping strategies?

They take individuals away from the stressor. Signup and view all the answers

How can the effectiveness of a coping strategy best be described?

No strategy is inherently good or bad; context matters. Signup and view all the answers

Which coping strategy involves actively changing the interpretation of stressful situations?

Reappraisal Signup and view all the answers

What is flexible coping generally recognized as?

A beneficial approach that involves adapting strategies to the situation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome of stress on health?

Increased blood pressure and heart rate. Signup and view all the answers

What effect can distraction have in coping with stress?

It can help reduce the impact of rumination. Signup and view all the answers

What is the nocebo effect primarily characterized by?

Negative outcomes due to expectations Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that what you expect can influence your reality?

Expectancy Theory Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant ethical concern regarding the use of placebos in medical treatment?

They could undermine patient dignity. Signup and view all the answers

How do placebos typically function in clinical trials?

They are included in control groups with informed consent. Signup and view all the answers

Why might the placebo effect be less effective in individuals with Alzheimer's disease?

They have brain damage affecting responsiveness. Signup and view all the answers

What role do neurotransmitters play in the placebo effect?

They are activated similarly in placebo responses as in genuine pain relief. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT associated with the effectiveness of placebos?

Duration of exposure to treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does patient awareness of taking a placebo have on its effectiveness?

It can still be effective, but usually less so. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Developmental Progression

Development involves a shift from external to internal regulation.
Children learn moral standards through experience and parental guidance.
Positive role modelling helps children adopt good behaviour and self-regulation.

Moral Reasoning and Moral Conduct

Moral reasoning does not always predict moral conduct.
Individuals may understand rules and consequences but still fail to regulate their behaviour accordingly.

Moral Disengagement

Explains the gap between knowing an action is wrong and still performing it.
Justifying or excusing harmful actions to maintain a positive self-image.
Strategies include:
- Excuses for harmful behaviours.
- Obscuring personal responsibility.
- Vilifying the victim.

The process of understanding other people and their perspectives.

Theory of Mind

Understanding that others may think differently and that their thoughts guide their behaviour.
A child understanding another's preference demonstrates this concept.

The Strange Situation Procedure

Identifies a child's attachment style through separations and reunions with their caregiver.
Key assessment moments are during reunions, where the child's behaviour towards the returning caregiver is observed.
Behaviour like proximity seeking, resistance, avoidance, and search behaviour are coded to determine the attachment style.

Attachment Styles

Secure Attachment [B]: The child shows flexibility in moving between seeking proximity and exploration.
Insecure Avoidant Attachment [A]: The child prioritises exploration over closeness and may avoid contact with the caregiver.
Insecure Anxious-Ambivalent Attachment [C]: The child prioritises proximity to the caregiver and struggles with exploring and playing.

The Importance of Secure Attachment in Child Development

Securely attached children have better peer relationships, leadership qualities, emotion regulation, and teacher relationships.

Disorganised Attachment

Characterised by caregivers who exhibit fear or inconsistency, leading to a child's confused response.
Strongly associated with later developmental problems.

Important Considerations in Understanding Attachment

It is a dynamic relationship construct, not a child characteristic.
Attachment can vary with different caregivers.
Early attachment classifications can change with life circumstances.
Traditional assessment methods may not be effective for older children.

Influences on Individual Differences in Attachment

A combination of nature and nurture plays a role.
Parental behaviour significantly impacts attachment security.
Infant characteristics and behaviours influence the parent-child relationship.

Parental Sensitivity

Sensitive parents notice, interpret and respond to infant signals.

Daily Hassles

Cumulative effect of minor everyday stresses on overall health.

Coping

Processes used to manage stressful demands, involving thoughts and behaviours.
Can be conscious or unconscious and become habitual.

Types of Coping Strategies

Reappraisal: Changing the interpretation of a situation.
Acceptance: Accepting the situation as it is.
Distraction: Diverting attention from the stressor.
Rumination: Repetitive negative thoughts about the stressor.

Adaptive and Maladaptive Coping

Effectiveness depends on the situation, individual characteristics, and objectives.

Types of Coping

Problem-focused coping: Dealing with the stressor itself.
Emotion-focused coping: Managing feelings about the situation.

Practical vs. Avoidant Coping

Practical coping involves facing the stressor, while avoidant coping involves avoiding it.

Adaptive vs. Maladaptive Coping

No coping strategy is inherently good or bad.
Effectiveness depends on the situation and desired outcome.

Flexible Coping

Actively choosing and adapting coping strategies based on the situation.

Introduction to Stress and Health

Stress negatively impacts mental and physical health.

Direct Physiological Effects of Stress

Increases blood pressure and heart rate.
Changes blood composition.

The Nocebo Effect

Negative expectations lead to negative outcomes.
Ethical considerations are crucial in managing information about potential side effects.

Placebo Effect Frameworks

Expectancy Theory: Expectations can bring about real outcomes.
Conditioning: Repeated pairing of cues and outcomes can create expectations.
Physiological Basis: Placebos trigger real physiological changes in the brain.

Alzheimer's Disease and the Placebo Effect

The placebo effect may be less effective in individuals with Alzheimer's due to brain damage.

Deception in Medical Treatment

Using placebos without informed consent raises ethical concerns about deception and patient autonomy.

Effectiveness of Placebos

Placebos can still be effective even if patients know they are taking them, although the effect is weaker.
Ethical implications limit their use in public health interventions.

Placebos in Clinical Trials

Placebos are a crucial component of control groups, with informed consent obtained from participants.

Placebos in Alternative Therapies

Many alternative therapies may derive their effectiveness from the placebo effect rather than any scientifically proven mechanism.

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Description

Explore key concepts in developmental psychology, including moral reasoning, moral conduct, moral disengagement, and social cognition. This quiz examines how children regulate their behavior and understand moral standards through experiences and guidance. Test your knowledge on these fundamental ideas that shape our understanding of human behavior.