The document discusses various aspects of socioemotional development in middle childhood including: 1. Children's self-concept becomes more divided into personal and academic areas as they compare themselves to others. 2. Emotional intelligence and self-efficacy influence how children approach challenges and social skills. 3. Self-esteem increases during this period with brief declines around age 12, and parenting needs to become more authoritative. 4. Peer relationships and friendships become more important as children progress through stages of friendship based on trust and intimacy.

1. Chapter 8 Socioemotional Development in Middle Childhood

2. Self-Development Industry v. Inferiority The focus is on competence in meeting challenges presented by parents, peers, school, etc. Understanding One’s Self One’s self-concept is divided into personal & academic areas Social Comparison Evaluating one’s behavior, abilities, expertise, & opinions by comparing them with others’

3. Emotional Intelligence Set of skills that help regulate self- & other-awareness Underlie the accurate assessment, evaluation, expression, & regulation of emotions They increase empathy, self-awareness, & social skills Most feel it is the family’s responsibility

4. Self-esteem Overall & Specific + & - Self-evaluation The self-concept reflects beliefs & thoughts about oneself; self-esteem is more emotionally oriented Self-esteem becomes more diversified at this time High in some areas, low in others Change & Stability in Self-esteem Increases during this time with a brief decline around 12 years Parenting needs to become more authoritative

5. Race & Self-esteem Racial Differences African Americans show slightly higher self-esteem around age 11 than Whites Hispanics show increase in self-esteem toward the end of middle childhood Asian self-esteem is higher in elementary school but lower than Whites by the end of childhood Social identity theory Members of a minority group are likely to accept the negative views of the majority group only if they perceive that there is little realistic possibility of changing the power & status differences between the groups

6. Self-efficacy The belief that one can master a situation & produce favorable outcomes Those with low self-efficacy may avoid challenging tasks Those with high self-efficacy are eager to take on the task and spend more time at it

7. Moral Development Kohlberg’s Stages Level I: Preconventional Level (Ages 4-10) Stage 1 – Fear of Punishment Stage 2 – Self-interest and Reward Level II: Conventional Level (Ages 10-13) Stage 3 – Desire to Please Others Stage 4 – Respect for Authority & Social Order Level III: Postconventional Level (After Age 13 at Young Adulthood or Never) Stage 5 – Respect for Individual Rights & Laws Stage 6 – Universal Ethical Principles

8. Moral Development Carol Gilligan Boys see morality in terms of justice & fairness; girls see it in terms of responsibility & compassion Three Stages of development in girls 1. Orientation toward individual survival Concentration on what is best for one’s self 2. Goodness as self-sacrifice Must sacrifice one’s wishes for others’ wants 3. Morality of nonviolence Hurting others & one’s self is immoral

9. Divorce Divorce Rate: 50% Reaction to Divorce Depends on the age at divorce From 6 months to 2 years after it can show maladjustment problems The quality of mother & child relationship declines 2X as many children of divorced parents enter psychological counseling as children from intact families

10. Remarriage Blended Families Remarried couples with at least 1 step-child living with them 17% of children live in blended families in U.S. Role ambiguity Roles & expectations unclear Gay & Lesbian Parents Children develop similarly to heterosexual households

11. Shaping a Child’s Behavior Coregulation Period when both parents & children jointly control children’s behavior Includes siblings which can have an influence on a particular child Sibling rivalry may occur Self-care Children “ Latchkey children” Let themselves in & wait for the parents to come home

12. Orphanages “ Group Home” or “Residential Treatment Center” 300,000 removed from homes each year ¾ return home Other ¼ so psychologically damage due to abuse, etc. they are left in group care & remain there

13. Popularity Characteristics Social competence Collection of individual social skills that permit individuals to perform successfully in social settings Popular children are high in social competence Social problem-solving Use of strategies for solving social conflicts in ways that are satisfactory both to oneself & others Better at interpreting the meaning of others’ behaviors

14. Peer Status 5 Statuses Popular children Frequently nominated as best friend & rarely disliked Average children Average number of positive & negative nominations from peers Neglected children Infrequently nominated as a best friend but not disliked by peers Rejected children Infrequently nominated as a best friend & are actively disliked by peers Controversial children Frequently nominated both as someone’s best friend and as being disliked

15. Schoolyard Bullies Torment from Bullies 160000 stay home due to bullying 90% of middle school students report being bullied 15% are bullies Victims ½ of bullies come from abusive homes Prefer violent TV programs/movies Misbehave at home more than others Show little remorse for lying More likely to break laws as adults Education of the Bully Need to learn the importance of caring, a warm environment & better social skills

16. Stages of Friendship Stage 1 (4 – 7 years) Friendship is based on others’ behavior Friends are those who like them & who share toys, games, etc. Stage 2 (8 – 10 years) Friendship is based on a mutual share of trust Stage 3 (11 – 15 years) Friendship is based on feelings of closeness through sharing personal thoughts & feelings

17. Gender & Race Friendships Gender Friendships Dominance hierarchy Rankings that present the relative social power of those in the group Middle childhood friendships tend to be restricted to the same sex Boys tend to be concerned with placement in the group Girls tend to have 1 or 2 “best friends” of relatively equal status Conflicts are resolved through compromise Cross-race Friendships Closest friends tend to be of the same race There are more cross-race best friends around 3 rd grade than 10th

18. School Success & Failure Attributions Theory Dispositional factors (I’m not so smart) or situational factor contribute (I didn’t get enough sleep) Cultural Comparisons Different experiences give different perceptions of how things should be Subcultural differences in behaviors related to achievement & what it is Asian performance In U.S. attribute school performance to stable, internal causes In Asia, it is temporary, situational factors

19. Teacher Expectancy Effect Self-fulfilling Prophecy Cycle of behavior where a teacher transmits an expectation about a child & thereby bringing about the expected behavior Verbal & Nonverbal Cues Smiling & warmth More positive feedback, contact & opportunities to perform, more difficult material, & more opportunities to respond to high expectation children; more criticism, less contact, & less opportunity to perform to low expectation children