Willpower Ch: 9

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Questions and Answers

What common narrative structure is typically seen in reality TV shows about parenting, such as Nanny 911?

Parents seek guidance from multiple professionals.

Families experience chaos before the arrival of a nanny. (correct)

Family resolves their issues without outside help.

Children initially behave well but later misbehave.

How did the producers of shows like Nanny 911 manage the portrayal of children's behavior?

They showed only the best behavior of the children.

They edited out the most extreme misbehavior due to time restrictions. (correct)

They focused exclusively on the parents' perspectives.

They used actors to recreate children's misbehavior.

Which psychological theory contributed to the challenges faced by American parents according to the content?

Attachment Theory

Theory of Self-Esteem (correct)

Behavioral Conditioning

Cognitive Behavioral Theory

What was one of the initial findings about self-esteem that motivated its advocacy among parents and educators?

Students with high self-esteem often achieve higher grades. Signup and view all the answers

What profession is mentioned as playing a significant role in influencing parenting practices in America?

Educators Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the documented benefits of high self-esteem?

Increased initiative and confidence Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential negative outcome of high self-esteem?

Possible development of narcissism Signup and view all the answers

How do rates of narcissism among young Americans compare to those of young Asian-Americans?

Narcissism is virtually absent in young Asian-Americans. Signup and view all the answers

What social behavior shows a correlation with low self-esteem in individuals?

Greater likelihood of substance abuse Signup and view all the answers

What cultural emphasis may contribute to better self-control in young Asian-Americans compared to their peers?

Traditional values promoting discipline Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the central ideas promoted by Whitney Houston in her hit song regarding self-esteem?

Self-esteem is the key to success in life. Signup and view all the answers

What did the research panel find regarding the relationship between self-esteem and academic performance?

Grades in tenth grade predicted self-esteem in twelfth grade. Signup and view all the answers

What observation did Baumeister make regarding individuals committing severe offenses?

Many have exceptionally high levels of self-esteem. Signup and view all the answers

Which trend was observed when students received messages boosting their self-esteem?

Performance in exams significantly declined. Signup and view all the answers

What did the panel of psychologists conclude about the state of self-esteem in Western countries?

Most people have a generally positive view of themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the academic success of Asian-American students, according to the content provided?

The cultural traditions that instill self-discipline. Signup and view all the answers

How does the average IQ of Chinese-Americans compare to that of white Americans in elite professions?

Chinese-Americans have a lower average IQ. Signup and view all the answers

What parenting style is commonly associated with Asian-American families, as opposed to American notions of parenting?

Authoritarian parenting that is perceived as a form of devotion rather than oppression. Signup and view all the answers

Which concept is NOT emphasized by Chinese mothers in relation to their children's academic success?

Stress on social development. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of parenting do many Americans believe contributes to well-adjusted and confident children?

Providing ample autonomy and nurturing. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Reality TV and Parenting

Middle-class parents are outsourcing childcare to British nannies.
Reality TV shows portray children with extreme behavior issues, likely exaggerated for dramatic effect.
Shows like Nanny 911 and Supernanny show home environments with children exhibiting problematic behaviors.
Misbehavior examples include screaming, spitting, and physical aggression.

The Self-Esteem Movement

High self-esteem research initially correlated with academic success in students.
The research indicated connections between low self-esteem and social problems like drug addiction and crime.
Psychologists like Nathaniel Branden emphasized the importance of self-esteem as a solution to various psychological issues.
Educators and psychologists encouraged parents to focus on praising children and encouraging self-esteem and mutual admiration in an attempt to foster success.
The emphasis on self-esteem resulted in practices of abundant praise, trophies for all, and mutual admiration.

Critiques of Self-Esteem

Scientific studies questioned the causal link between self-esteem and academic achievement.
Studies found that high school grades predicted twelfth-grade self-esteem, not the other way around.
Experiments proved that boosting self-esteem in students with poor grades did not enhance subsequent performance.
High self-esteem did not prevent drug use or other negative behaviors, instead, correlating with potential aggression and destructive behavior.
The movement contributed to a rise in narcissism in young people.

Exceptional Asian-Americans

Asian-American children have lower narcissism levels.
Asian cultures prioritize self-control, discipline, and delayed gratification.
Asian-American children excel academically and professionally despite exhibiting lower average IQ scores; instead they demonstrate greater practical application of intelligence.
This is directly correlated to the cultural emphasis on hard work and self-discipline.

Discipline and Self-Control

Children, and even infants, need clear expectations and consequences for their actions.
Discipline, when applied consistently, helps children develop self-control.
The key elements of effective discipline: severity (less important), speed (importance of immediate feedback), and consistency (utmost importance).
Even when children misbehave, parents are encouraged to be calm, consistent, and brief with their discipline.
The "Ferberization" technique, where infants are gradually allowed to adjust to time alone in bed (without parental interference), and other approaches can be used to help babies and toddlers.

Self-Control and Adolescents

Adolescence is associated with a decline in self-control.
External monitoring and communication (especially during calm times), as well as encouraging goal-setting, are effective.
Teens crave structured environments and guidance.
Clear rules and communication are key in managing teen behavior.

The Perfect Storm of Dieting

Losing weight is a popular but often unsuccessful goal.
Self-control, while important for success in other areas, is not a definitive factor in weight maintenance.
The body fights back against drastic diet changes through a variety of responses.

The What-the-Hell-Effect

Dieters who exceed their calorie limit often give up and overeat, thinking their diet is ruined.
Dieting may lead to counter-productive 'what-the-hell' binges, with the result of less controlled eating.
Monitoring calorie intake and being aware of the body's inner cues is recommended.

The Dieter's Catch-22

Dieting often depletes self-control, making it harder to resist food cravings.
Willpower is needed for avoiding food but needs glucose to function; thus, a paradoxical situation arises.
Emotional states can deplete willpower, and lead to overeating.
Dieters should avoid extreme measures. Instead, emphasize sustainable changes.

Planning for Battle

Realistic goals and long-term strategies are key to sustained weight loss.
Commitments to avoidance mechanisms (keeping certain foods out of reach), regular self-monitoring and external support are encouraged.
Gradual lifestyle changes produce lasting effects.
Implementation intentions: formulating specific action plans for when facing certain food-related situations, such as "if I'm at a party, I will resist the pizza."
Social environments and peer groups can shape food choices.

Monitoring and Habits

Frequent self-weighing is unexpectedly helpful for maintaining weight loss.
External monitoring cues like wearing a belt, or having a food diary, are helpful in keeping track of weight and eating habits.

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Description

Explore the intersection of reality TV and parenting, focusing on how shows like Nanny 911 may exaggerate children's behavior issues. This quiz also delves into the self-esteem movement's impact on parenting practices and its correlation with academic success and social problems. Join us to understand these contemporary parenting challenges.