Problem 2 1.5
Emotion
Function of emotions
Keep caregivers close by- protection
Stop unpleasant experiences
Important for communication and bonding
Essential to well-being- prolonged stress or negative emotions cause health
problems e.g. stomach ulcers
Secondary emotions- protecting and enhancing the self to create personality traits
and to achieve goals
Primary/basic emotion
Emotions that are innate and present from birth onwards
Don’t require introspection
Cross culturally observed
Social referencing- looking at others for cues on how to feel, especially in a new
situation, shows emotions can be learned
1. Fear
Appears at 6 months
After 2 years- children develop executive functions and cognitive control so fears up
until this point disappear
Stranger anxiety- 9-12 months, Influenced by:
- social referencing
- appearance of stranger
- behaviour of stranger
- context
- previous experience
- presence of a secure base
- number of caregivers
- culture
separation anxiety/protest- 15 months
- distress that is experiences when the caregiver leaves the infant
- stable across cultures
2. Happiness
Reflexive smile- shown during REM sleep, caused by internal stimuli
6-10 weeks- social smiling, caused by external stimuli
3-4 months- laughter
10-12 months- Duchenne smile, sincere, mostly a reaction to mother
, Display smile- Duchenne and jaw dropping (extreme joy)
Encourage affection and bonding
Develops social skills
3. Sadness and anger
Hard to distinguish between – crying
2-3 months- anger
4-6 months- anger increases in frequency and intensity
Before 7 months- distress
Different types of crying
- Basic cry (hunger)
- Angry cry
- Pain cry
Anger is a function to overcome obstacles and gain control
Secondary/ complex emotions
Emotions that emerge later in life and require a sense of self (recognition in the
mirror)
Arise around 1-2 years old
1. Jealousy
1 year
More dysfunctional than useful
The more jealous a child is the less they are able to understand different emotions
Fear of losing something
2. Shame
2.5 years
Negative perspective on the self
Strong when failing to complete a simple task
3. Guilt
3 years
Not living up to obligation
Wanting to make reparations for their wrong or hurtful actions
Requires personal responsibility and internalization of moral standards
Overwhelming guilt- linked to depression and emotional distress
As the child grows older (+9yrs) they begin to distinguish between intentional and
unintentional mistakes thus know when to feel guilty
4. Envy
Emotion
Function of emotions
Keep caregivers close by- protection
Stop unpleasant experiences
Important for communication and bonding
Essential to well-being- prolonged stress or negative emotions cause health
problems e.g. stomach ulcers
Secondary emotions- protecting and enhancing the self to create personality traits
and to achieve goals
Primary/basic emotion
Emotions that are innate and present from birth onwards
Don’t require introspection
Cross culturally observed
Social referencing- looking at others for cues on how to feel, especially in a new
situation, shows emotions can be learned
1. Fear
Appears at 6 months
After 2 years- children develop executive functions and cognitive control so fears up
until this point disappear
Stranger anxiety- 9-12 months, Influenced by:
- social referencing
- appearance of stranger
- behaviour of stranger
- context
- previous experience
- presence of a secure base
- number of caregivers
- culture
separation anxiety/protest- 15 months
- distress that is experiences when the caregiver leaves the infant
- stable across cultures
2. Happiness
Reflexive smile- shown during REM sleep, caused by internal stimuli
6-10 weeks- social smiling, caused by external stimuli
3-4 months- laughter
10-12 months- Duchenne smile, sincere, mostly a reaction to mother
, Display smile- Duchenne and jaw dropping (extreme joy)
Encourage affection and bonding
Develops social skills
3. Sadness and anger
Hard to distinguish between – crying
2-3 months- anger
4-6 months- anger increases in frequency and intensity
Before 7 months- distress
Different types of crying
- Basic cry (hunger)
- Angry cry
- Pain cry
Anger is a function to overcome obstacles and gain control
Secondary/ complex emotions
Emotions that emerge later in life and require a sense of self (recognition in the
mirror)
Arise around 1-2 years old
1. Jealousy
1 year
More dysfunctional than useful
The more jealous a child is the less they are able to understand different emotions
Fear of losing something
2. Shame
2.5 years
Negative perspective on the self
Strong when failing to complete a simple task
3. Guilt
3 years
Not living up to obligation
Wanting to make reparations for their wrong or hurtful actions
Requires personal responsibility and internalization of moral standards
Overwhelming guilt- linked to depression and emotional distress
As the child grows older (+9yrs) they begin to distinguish between intentional and
unintentional mistakes thus know when to feel guilty
4. Envy
