Infant Emotional Responses and Brain Activity

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Questions and Answers

How does skin conductance relate to fear and anxiety in infants?

Increased skin conductance predicts happiness.

Low skin conductance indicates a tendency towards anxiety.

Low skin conductance corresponds to high anxiety levels.

Increased skin conductance may lead to anxiety later. (correct)

What role does the left frontal cortex play in emotional responses?

It is active when individuals withdraw due to fear.

It indicates higher vulnerability to stress.

It is linked to the pursuit of reward and happiness. (correct)

It is associated with sadness.

What can be inferred about uninhibited toddlers with low sympathetic nervous system activity?

They exhibit increased emotional sensitivity.

They are more anxious in new environments.

They are likely to have increased empathetic responses.

They might be at-risk for aggressive behavior. (correct)

What is the primary purpose of emotions in infants according to John Bowlby?

To communicate current motivational states Signup and view all the answers

At what age does anger typically begin to develop in infants?

4-6 months Signup and view all the answers

What factor leads to an infant expressing anger?

An obstacle in achieving a reward Signup and view all the answers

Which group do the emotions pain, sadness, disgust, and fear belong to?

Emotions associated with threat Signup and view all the answers

How do infants learn about emotions?

By observing the reactions of others to their needs Signup and view all the answers

Which behaviors can indicate how an infant responds to frustration?

Becoming angry or withdrawing in sadness Signup and view all the answers

What emotional responses are associated with the Behavioral Activation System (BAS)?

Interest, surprise, joy, and anger Signup and view all the answers

What factor is indicated as a predictor of empathy in early childhood?

Relational and individual resources Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of empathy was studied in children aged 8 to 16 months?

Early signs of concern for others Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Still-Face Paradigm' generally refer to in emotional development?

An experiment demonstrating infant emotional response Signup and view all the answers

What emotional capacity begins to develop in infants around 8 months of age?

Concern for others Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of parenting is highlighted in the work of Kiff, Lengua, and Zalewski (2011)?

Parenting styles and temperament match Signup and view all the answers

What element of brain development is discussed in the study by Kok et al. (2015)?

Parental sensitivity's impact on brain development Signup and view all the answers

Which age group is primarily discussed in the context of emotional development according to Kopp and Neufeld (2003)?

Infants Signup and view all the answers

What do the authors identify as a contributing factor to anger development in children?

Combination of biological and social processes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infant/Toddler Psychosocial Development

Infants exhibit attraction to comforting, stimulating situations and withdrawal from unpleasant stimuli.
The Behavioral Approach System (BAS) is active when infants experience positive emotions; the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) is active during negative emotions.
Emotional responses are limited at birth because brain circuits are not fully formed.

Emotional Development in Infants and Toddlers

Infants initially express two basic emotions: attraction and withdrawal
Interest/curiosity is demonstrated by three months
Surprise is displayed by six months
Infants display other emotions like joy, pain, sadness, disgust, anger, and fear at differing ages
Joy, a positive emotion, is experienced by two months
Pain is a negative reaction at birth
Sadness is a negative reaction that is observed by three months
Disgust is a negative reaction at birth
Anger occurs between four and six months
Toddlers show fear around seven months

Temperament

Temperament involves individual differences in children's behavior observed from birth, these differences persist through development
Caregivers are often surprised when they see variations in their children's reactions
Thomas and Chess identified three temperament types: easy (40%), slow-to-warm-up (15%), and difficult (10%).
Goodness of fit refers to the match between a child's temperament and the parenting style

The Biopsychology of Temperament

Temperament is demonstrated over the first year of life; including responses to pleasure and frustration
Biological markers of temperament include frontal EEG asymmetry, skin conductance, and heart rate
Frontal EEG asymmetry reflects differences in brain activity between the right and left sides of the brain, indicating emotional reactivity
Skin conductance is related to fear and stress through sympathetic nervous system activation
Heart rate variability (RSA) is from parasympathetic nervous system activity, related to attention
Studies show that infant's biological markers change as they develop and that temperament is linked to behavioral and emotional problems

Emotions are an important part of the mother-infant system; enabling communication of needs.
Infants learn about emotions through others' responses to their needs.
Primary emotions include pain, sadness, disgust, fear (BIS); and interest, surprise, joy, anger (BAS)

The attachment system

Infant behaviors associated with seeking security and care from caregivers are important to infants.
Infants are born with reflexes that allow them to signal needs, and caregivers distinguish between the types of crying
Infants develop voluntary behaviors and learning behaviors, and have a preference for familiar caregivers by 9 months
The "still face" paradigm examines how infants respond to caregivers' unresponsiveness

Separating Families at the Border

Separating families at the border has detrimental effects on children, increasing risks of depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.
Children experiencing separation exhibit attachment issues and mental health problems

Child's Play and Direct Evidence for Internal Working Models of Caregiving

Infants, toddlers, and children demonstrate and understand social dominance though play and interaction with caregivers.

Empathy in Infants and Toddlers

Infants exhibit emotional contagion (crying when others cry) starting around 8 months
Toddlers show increasing concern for distressed others around 8-16 months
Caregiver sensitivity and responsiveness affects empathy development, as well as cognitive and language skills

The Dominance System

Toddlers display competition for resources and status, demonstrating a sense of agency, which regulates their own behavior and allows them to care for others

Language Development

Language development is influenced by genetics, maturation, and experience
Infants readily learn language through observation
Key components are phonemes (smallest unit of sound), morphemes (smallest units of meaningful language), and syntax (rules of grammar)
Pragmatics involve social rules related to communication
Infants exhibit infant-directed speech behaviors used by caregivers

The Caregiving Behavioral System

Infants and caregivers engage in reciprocal interactions
Children develop schemas of caregiver behavior, which affect future expectations

Assessment of Infant-Toddler Development

Assessment tools like the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) and Ages and Stages Questionnaire are used.
Tools like the Early Language Milestone Scale assess language development from birth to 36 months
Other tests are used to diagnose autism spectrum disorder in toddlers.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Toddlers

ASD is a developmental disability with symptoms that appear early in childhood.
Children with ASD have challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and communication.
Signs include difficulty with eye contact, imitation, sharing attention, and sensory differences.
Early intervention is very important

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Description

This quiz explores the relationship between brain activity, emotional responses, and temperament in infants. It focuses on various aspects such as EEG asymmetry, skin conductance, and the development of emotions according to psychological theories. Test your understanding of how infants express and learn about their emotions.