Problem 2
What influences differences in emotional development?
Which theories exist regarding the development of emotions?
Perspectives on Emotional Development – Genetic-Maturational View
Genetic-maturational view: sees emotions as a product of biological
factors
- Basically means that emotions are just a natural part of humans
The temperament (personality) determines how strongly a child reacts to
external stimuli
Evidence for this theory – twin studies used, showed that they start
smiling at the same time, compared to a smaller difference of the time it
takes for fraternal twins to smile
Infants usually start smiling at 6 weeks’ old, (after they were born)
meaning 46 weeks after conception
- Premature babies, even though they were born earlier, still start
smiling at around a total of 46 weeks after conception
However, there needs to be a certain level of environmental
conditions/stimulation for them to start displaying these emotions – this
also affects when they will start showing the emotions
Learning Perspective Theory
Learning perspective theory is useful in explaining how people show
their emotions in different ways – emotional expression
Different emotions get displayed in different amounts & at different
times/stages in the kid’s development
- Frequency of smiling & laughing is influenced largely by the
environment they are brought up in
- Parents can promote/incentivize specific (good) emotions & do the
opposite with unwanted emotions
Some parents put down the child’s emotional expression – making them
less likely to show certain emotions
Studies found that positive reinforcement after infant smiles will increase
the amount of times that they show this
They can also learn fear responses
- Either through operant conditioning – experiencing something on
their own, like falling down when climbing a tree
- Or through observing their parental figures’ reactions & repeating
them
Functionalist Perspective
, Sees emotions as being developed in order for a good integration into
social life/situations
Functionalist perspective says the purpose of emotions is for us to be able
to reach out goals & adapt to our environment
Further expands on the learning theory – saying that infants learn to adapt,
react and respond in order to function in society
The theory focuses on how we interpret situations (in the form of others’
reactions for ex) and respond to them
- Says they’ve developed as a way for us to understand & incorporate
others’ reactions & further base our own emotions from them
- Also says that we use our past experiences to further help how we
react in new situations
Which emotions are there and when do they become visible?
Early Emotional Development
Emotions: are subjective responses to something, (a stimuli) they are
experienced as either pleasant/unpleasant, usually cause a
reaction/behavior (either intentional/unintentional)
- Important for child development for further social situations
because the kid learns how to interpret/respond/perceive others
- Emotions are thus linked to social success
Emotions (& emotional intelligence) are a critical part of life, for both the
person itself & others around them – just as important as cognitive
intelligence
Emotions are also linked to kid’s physical and mental health - those
deprived of a stable emotional environment (either in a tumultuous
home/orphanage or simply having a home life with emotional stress
among parent)
- Often display social integration problems, concentration problems,
low self-worth & tumultuous relationships – this stresses the
importance of emotional development
Primary emotions – come naturally, appear early in life & don’t require
self-reflection
- Disgust, joy, fear, surprise, interest, sadness
Secondary emotions – develop later in life & require us to be self-aware
& be aware of others
- Jealousy, pride, shame, guilt
Development of Primary Emotions
Even newborn babies show spontaneous smiles
What influences differences in emotional development?
Which theories exist regarding the development of emotions?
Perspectives on Emotional Development – Genetic-Maturational View
Genetic-maturational view: sees emotions as a product of biological
factors
- Basically means that emotions are just a natural part of humans
The temperament (personality) determines how strongly a child reacts to
external stimuli
Evidence for this theory – twin studies used, showed that they start
smiling at the same time, compared to a smaller difference of the time it
takes for fraternal twins to smile
Infants usually start smiling at 6 weeks’ old, (after they were born)
meaning 46 weeks after conception
- Premature babies, even though they were born earlier, still start
smiling at around a total of 46 weeks after conception
However, there needs to be a certain level of environmental
conditions/stimulation for them to start displaying these emotions – this
also affects when they will start showing the emotions
Learning Perspective Theory
Learning perspective theory is useful in explaining how people show
their emotions in different ways – emotional expression
Different emotions get displayed in different amounts & at different
times/stages in the kid’s development
- Frequency of smiling & laughing is influenced largely by the
environment they are brought up in
- Parents can promote/incentivize specific (good) emotions & do the
opposite with unwanted emotions
Some parents put down the child’s emotional expression – making them
less likely to show certain emotions
Studies found that positive reinforcement after infant smiles will increase
the amount of times that they show this
They can also learn fear responses
- Either through operant conditioning – experiencing something on
their own, like falling down when climbing a tree
- Or through observing their parental figures’ reactions & repeating
them
Functionalist Perspective
, Sees emotions as being developed in order for a good integration into
social life/situations
Functionalist perspective says the purpose of emotions is for us to be able
to reach out goals & adapt to our environment
Further expands on the learning theory – saying that infants learn to adapt,
react and respond in order to function in society
The theory focuses on how we interpret situations (in the form of others’
reactions for ex) and respond to them
- Says they’ve developed as a way for us to understand & incorporate
others’ reactions & further base our own emotions from them
- Also says that we use our past experiences to further help how we
react in new situations
Which emotions are there and when do they become visible?
Early Emotional Development
Emotions: are subjective responses to something, (a stimuli) they are
experienced as either pleasant/unpleasant, usually cause a
reaction/behavior (either intentional/unintentional)
- Important for child development for further social situations
because the kid learns how to interpret/respond/perceive others
- Emotions are thus linked to social success
Emotions (& emotional intelligence) are a critical part of life, for both the
person itself & others around them – just as important as cognitive
intelligence
Emotions are also linked to kid’s physical and mental health - those
deprived of a stable emotional environment (either in a tumultuous
home/orphanage or simply having a home life with emotional stress
among parent)
- Often display social integration problems, concentration problems,
low self-worth & tumultuous relationships – this stresses the
importance of emotional development
Primary emotions – come naturally, appear early in life & don’t require
self-reflection
- Disgust, joy, fear, surprise, interest, sadness
Secondary emotions – develop later in life & require us to be self-aware
& be aware of others
- Jealousy, pride, shame, guilt
Development of Primary Emotions
Even newborn babies show spontaneous smiles
