Relationships
Attachment
Family problems
Family
Siblings and Parenting
100
Why do we need relationships?
-Critical in our health and well-being. -We are biologically programmed to form relationships (through hormones, nervous system and stress response).
100
What are some of the main messages of Attachment Theory about the importance of attachment?
Our first, and most important, relationship is with our caregivers. Quality of relationship can determine individual’s development. Quality of relationship can determine quality of future relationships. Biological and social in its basis: (animals have attachment). It is the combination of caregiver sensitivity and infant reactivity that determine the quality of the attachment.
100
What predicts better outcomes after divorce for adolescents?
Adolescents have better long-term outcomes (fewer psychological problems), when: They maintain a good relationship with their mother; Parents maintain a civil relationship; Parents maintain consistent approach to parenting.
100
What are some of the downsides of adolescent parenting?
• Less knowledge; • Less sensitive to child’s signals; • Less aware of development, child’s needs; • Less likely to engage in spontaneous play or talk about infants; • More likely than older parents to use physical punishment or be ambivalent.
100
What are some ways sibling relationships change during adolescence?
Relationships become more egalitarian as you get older. Greater affection, companionship and intimacy in early childhood than in adolescence; less conflict in adolescent sibling relationships than with parents.
200
What are some of the benefits of having close relationships?
People with close relationships are: happier, more satisfied with their lives, physically healthier, live longer
200
Who were the two people that came up and modified attachment theory and who did they work with?
John Bowlby: Father of attachment, worked with London Child Guidance Clinic with babies abandoned during WWII. Saw they were not able to thrive without caregiver touching, eye contact etc. Mary Ainsworth: His student, expanded on his work. Did cross cultural work in Uganda. Came up with Strange Situation to measure attachment
200
What are some of the family processes shaped by divorce?
Exposure to conflict between parents (if high parental conflict divorce may lead to better outcomes for the adolescent). Effect on parenting practices/styles/relationships (mothers become permissive then authoritative, usually relationship becomes closer with mothers, and more distant with fathers). Increasing economic stress.
200
What are some cultural differences in family structure and parenting? How might cultural factors explain that Ethnic minorities in US cultures are over-represented in authoritarian type of parenting?
Family structure & process in traditional cultures e.g., “Traditional parenting style” – high in responsiveness, high in demanding expecting compliance by virtue of cultural beliefs. Examples: “Filial piety” of obedience and interconnectedness among Asian American families. “Familismo” of love, closeness & loyalty among Latino/Hispanic families .
200
What contributes to sibling rivalry and relationship quality?
Parents "differential behavior". It's also related to siblings' need for control.
300
Baumeister and Leary (1996) offered a motivational explanation of human relationships. What did they say?
They put it as a basic human need. Belonging is a fundamental human instinct or drive.
300
What are some effects of physical abuse on adolescent development and what are some of the factors in the family that lead to or contribute to abuse?
• Abused adolescents tend to be more aggressive in their interactions with peers and adults. • Greater antisocial behavior & drug use. • More likely to be depressed, anxious, and perform poorly in school. • Abusive parents more likely to have been abused themselves, lost a parent, experienced harsh discipline • Victims are more commonly boys. • Poor families more likely to have abuse than middle-class families. • Large families more likely to have abuse than small families. • Parent alcoholism, depression, and poor health increase risk for abuse. • Families of color at higher risk-but not when you control for other things-it's more about poverty.
300
What are some historical changes that have impacted families?
Today, much lower birth rate. In 1800, women gave birth to an average of 8 children. Longer life expectancy, urbanization means changing roles. Increase in working mothers. Increase in divorce.
300
Briefly describe the four parenting styles.
Authoritative parents: + demanding, + responsive (clear consequences, explain reasons, some negotiation, loving). Authoritarian parents: + demanding, - responsive (require obedience, punish, no compromise, little warmth). Permissive parents: - demanding, + responsive (few clear expectations, rarely discipline, “unconditional” love & freedom). Disengaged parents: - demanding, - responsive (minimize time and emotion parenting; little interest or love).
400
Describe the Family Systems Approach.
Family functioning depends on each of the dyadic relationships in the family. When one relationship changes (or has “disequilibrium”, imbalance), there is a shift among other relationships to redefine/rebalance the family system. (Dyadic Relationships=Relationship between two people)
400
What are Ainsworth's attachment types?
Secure: Securely attached babies are able to use the attachment figure as an effective secure base from which to explore the world. Avoidant: Babies with avoidant attachments are covertly anxious about the attachment figure's responsiveness and have developed a defensive strategy for managing their anxiety. Ambivalent: In babies with anxious/ambivalent attachments, both anxiety and mixed feelings about the attachment figure are readily observable. At reunion after brief separations in an unfamiliar environment, they mingle openly angry behavior with their attachment behavior.
400
Who tends to be more at risk for sexual abuse and what are some of its effects?
• Causes are different from physical abuse---girls more commonly victims. • Fathers or brothers as abusers; not aggressive, but insecure and socially awkward; feel inadequate in their adult relationships. • Typically, happens after a detached relationship in childhood. • Effects can be more profound than physical abuse. • Effects seen mostly on relationships: difficulty trusting others, forming stable intimate relationships. • Increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and social withdrawal. • Can be either: Highly avoidant of sexual contact or Highly promiscuous.
400
Which parenting style is best and which is worst? Can you give an example of how this would influence adolescent outcomes?
Authoritative is thought to be best and disengaged the worst.
500
What are four main influences that shape adolescents' family relationship?
1. Attachment with parents; 2. Relationship dynamics, including siblings; 3. Parenting style; 4. Disruptions in the family systems & problems of abuse;
500
What do Ainsworth's attachment types look like in adolescence?
Attachment Theory: Adolescence & Adulthood Type and frequency of relationship qualities of childhood are often similar to those found later in life. Secure adolescents: Describe closest relationships as warm, fun, happy, friendly, & trusting. Avoidant adolescents: Describe closest relationships as ‘distant,’ and may include fear, jealousy, or idealized understanding of their parents. Ambivalent adolescents: Describe relationships with obsession, extreme sexual attraction, extreme jealousy with self-doubt and feel misunderstood or lonely.
500
Which parenting styles are most common in the U.S., what aspects of US culture support this parenting profile?
Disengaged and Authoritative then Authoritarian, last is permissive. Second part is open to interpretation!
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