Unit 3.6: Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan
AP Psychology | Unit 3: Development and Learning
🎯 Exam Focus
Social-emotional development examines how relationships, identity, and emotions evolve across the lifespan. Master attachment theory (Ainsworth's Strange Situation, secure vs. insecure styles), understand temperament and goodness-of-fit, know parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive), memorize all 8 of Erikson's psychosocial stages with their conflicts, understand Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems (microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, chronosystem), recognize adolescent development patterns (imaginary audience, personal fable, identity statuses), and understand adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This major topic appears frequently on both multiple-choice and FRQ sections.
📚 Introduction to Social-Emotional Development
Social-emotional development encompasses how individuals form relationships, develop a sense of self, understand and regulate emotions, and navigate social interactions from infancy through late adulthood.
This process involves forming secure attachments with caregivers, developing emotional regulation skills, building peer relationships, exploring identity, and establishing intimate connections. Early experiences profoundly shape lifelong patterns of relating to others and understanding ourselves.
Social-emotional development is influenced by biological factors (temperament), environmental contexts (family, culture, socioeconomic status), and the interaction between individual characteristics and social systems.
👶 Attachment Theory
What is Attachment?
Attachment is the deep emotional bond between an infant and caregiver that develops during the first year of life. This bond provides a sense of security and shapes how individuals form relationships throughout their lifespan.
Key Researchers:
- John Bowlby: Developed attachment theory; proposed infants need a secure base to explore the world
- Mary Ainsworth: Created the Strange Situation experiment to assess attachment quality
- Harry Harlow: Monkey experiments showed contact comfort matters more than food for attachment
Harlow's Monkey Study
Harry Harlow's classic experiments with rhesus monkeys demonstrated that attachment is based on contact comfort, not just feeding.
The Experiment:
- Baby monkeys given two artificial "mothers": wire mother with food, cloth mother without food
- Monkeys spent most time clinging to soft cloth mother, even though wire mother provided food
- When frightened, monkeys ran to cloth mother for comfort
- Used cloth mother as secure base to explore new environments
Conclusion: Attachment is driven by contact comfort and emotional security, not just fulfillment of physical needs. This challenged behaviorist views that attachment was simply operant conditioning through feeding.
Ainsworth's Strange Situation
The Strange Situation is a laboratory procedure designed by Mary Ainsworth to assess the quality of infant-caregiver attachment by observing infant behavior during separations and reunions.
Procedure (8 episodes, ~3 minutes each):
- Mother and infant enter unfamiliar room with toys
- Infant explores while mother present
- Stranger enters and talks to mother
- Mother leaves; infant alone with stranger
- Mother returns; stranger leaves (first reunion)
- Mother leaves; infant completely alone
- Stranger returns
- Mother returns; stranger leaves (second reunion)
What's Being Observed: Separation anxiety (distress when caregiver leaves), stranger anxiety (response to unfamiliar person), and reunion behavior (how infant responds when caregiver returns)
💝 Four Attachment Styles
Secure Attachment (~60-70%)
Results from consistent, responsive, sensitive caregiving. Infant trusts caregiver will meet their needs.
Behavior in Strange Situation:
- Uses caregiver as secure base to explore environment
- Shows mild distress when caregiver leaves (separation anxiety)
- Easily comforted when caregiver returns
- Seeks contact and resumes playing after reunion
- Prefers caregiver over stranger
Long-Term Outcomes:
Better emotion regulation, higher self-esteem, more trusting relationships, better social competence, lower anxiety and depression
Insecure-Avoidant Attachment (~20%)
Results from emotionally unavailable, rejecting, or insensitive caregiving. Infant learns not to depend on caregiver for comfort.
Behavior in Strange Situation:
- Shows little distress when caregiver leaves (appears independent)
- Avoids or ignores caregiver upon reunion
- Does not seek contact or comfort
- Shows little preference between caregiver and stranger
- May focus on toys rather than relationships
Long-Term Outcomes:
Emotional distance in relationships, difficulty expressing feelings, discomfort with intimacy, self-reliant to a fault
Insecure-Anxious/Ambivalent Attachment (~10-15%)
Results from inconsistent, unpredictable caregiving. Sometimes responsive, sometimes not — infant uncertain if needs will be met.
Behavior in Strange Situation:
- Very distressed when caregiver leaves (high separation anxiety)
- Difficulty being comforted upon reunion
- Shows ambivalence: seeks contact but resists when it's offered
- May cry, cling, then push caregiver away
- Wary of strangers, reluctant to explore
Long-Term Outcomes:
Clingy in relationships, fear of abandonment, high anxiety about relationships, preoccupied with seeking reassurance
Disorganized Attachment (~5-10%)
Results from frightening, abusive, or extremely inconsistent caregiving. Caregiver is source of both comfort and fear — creates unsolvable dilemma.
Behavior in Strange Situation:
- Contradictory, confused behaviors
- Approaches caregiver but with head turned away or freezing
- Dazed, disoriented facial expressions
- No coherent strategy for dealing with stress
- May show fear of caregiver
⚠️ Long-Term Outcomes:
Highest risk for psychological problems, difficulty regulating emotions, relationship difficulties, increased risk for mental health disorders
🌡️ Temperament
What is Temperament?
Temperament refers to inborn, biologically based individual differences in emotional and behavioral reactivity and self-regulation. It's the "how" of behavior — not what you do, but how you do it.
Three Temperament Categories (Thomas & Chess):
1. Easy Temperament (~40%)
Regular routines, positive mood, adapts easily to change, approaches new situations positively
2. Difficult Temperament (~10%)
Irregular routines, negative mood, slow to adapt, withdraws from new situations, intense reactions
3. Slow-to-Warm-Up Temperament (~15%)
Initially withdrawn but gradually warms up with repeated exposure; mildly negative reactions to new situations
Goodness-of-Fit Model
Healthy development occurs when there's a good match between a child's temperament and the caregiving environment. A "difficult" temperament isn't problematic if caregivers are patient and consistent. Mismatches between temperament and environment create stress and adjustment problems.
👨👩👧👦 Parenting Styles (Baumrind)
Diana Baumrind identified three main parenting styles based on two dimensions: demandingness (control, expectations) and responsiveness (warmth, support).
✅ Authoritative (BEST)
HIGH demands + HIGH responsiveness
Characteristics:
- Clear rules with explanations
- Warm and supportive
- Encourages independence
- Open communication
Outcomes: Best outcomes — high self-esteem, social competence, academic success, emotional regulation
Authoritarian
HIGH demands + LOW responsiveness
Characteristics:
- Strict rules, no explanations
- "Because I said so"
- Punishment-oriented
- Limited warmth or flexibility
Outcomes: Obedient but lower self-esteem, anxiety, poor social skills, dependent on external control
Permissive
LOW demands + HIGH responsiveness
Characteristics:
- Few rules or expectations
- Very warm and loving
- Avoids confrontation
- Child makes own decisions
Outcomes: Impulsive, poor self-regulation, academic difficulties, entitled, difficulty with authority
Neglectful/Uninvolved
LOW demands + LOW responsiveness
Characteristics:
- Minimal involvement
- Few rules, little warmth
- Emotionally distant
- Neglects child's needs
Outcomes: Worst outcomes — low self-esteem, poor academic performance, behavioral problems, attachment issues
💡 Cultural Note
Parenting effectiveness varies by cultural context. Authoritarian parenting may be adaptive in dangerous environments or collectivist cultures that emphasize obedience and family harmony. Always consider cultural values when evaluating parenting approaches.
🎭 Erikson's 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development
Erik Erikson proposed that personality develops through eight psychosocial stages across the lifespan. Each stage involves a developmental crisis or conflict that must be resolved. Successful resolution leads to strengths; unsuccessful resolution leads to difficulties.
Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (Birth - 18 months)
Crisis: Can I trust the world to meet my needs?
Key Task: Developing trust through consistent, responsive caregiving
Outcome: If needs are met → Trust, security. If not → Mistrust, anxiety, suspicion
Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (18 months - 3 years)
Crisis: Can I do things on my own or am I dependent?
Key Task: Developing independence through exploration and choice
Outcome: If encouraged → Autonomy, confidence. If overly controlled/criticized → Shame, doubt, dependence
Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3 - 6 years)
Crisis: Am I good or bad for taking initiative?
Key Task: Taking initiative in activities and social interactions
Outcome: If supported → Initiative, purpose. If discouraged → Guilt about assertiveness, lack of purpose
Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6 - 12 years)
Crisis: Am I competent and capable?
Key Task: Developing competence through school and social skills
Outcome: If successful → Industry, competence. If repeated failure → Inferiority, low self-esteem
Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (12 - 18 years)
Crisis: Who am I? What do I believe?
Key Task: Exploring identity and forming coherent sense of self
Outcome: If successful → Identity, clear values. If not → Role confusion, unclear identity
Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood, ~18-40)
Crisis: Can I form close, committed relationships?
Key Task: Forming intimate, loving relationships with others
Outcome: If successful → Intimacy, deep connections. If not → Isolation, loneliness
Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood, ~40-65)
Crisis: Can I make a meaningful contribution to society?
Key Task: Contributing to next generation, being productive
Outcome: If successful → Generativity, legacy. If not → Stagnation, self-absorption
Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood, 65+)
Crisis: Have I lived a meaningful life?
Key Task: Reflecting on life with acceptance
Outcome: If successful → Integrity, wisdom, acceptance. If not → Despair, regret, bitterness
🌍 Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory
Urie Bronfenbrenner proposed that development occurs within nested environmental systems that interact to influence the individual. Think of it as concentric circles of influence.
Microsystem (Innermost Circle)
Direct, immediate environment with face-to-face contact
Examples: Family, peers, school, workplace, religious community, sports team
Mesosystem
Connections between microsystem elements
Examples: Parent-teacher communication, family-peer group interactions, work-family balance
Exosystem
Indirect influences — settings that affect you but you don't participate in directly
Examples: Parent's workplace policies, school board decisions, local government services, media
Macrosystem
Broader cultural context — values, laws, customs of the culture
Examples: Cultural values (individualism vs. collectivism), economic conditions, political climate, religious beliefs
Chronosystem
Time dimension — changes and transitions over lifespan
Examples: Historical events (wars, technological advances), life transitions (divorce, moving), timing of experiences
🧑 Adolescent Social-Emotional Development
Adolescent Egocentrism
Adolescent egocentrism is the heightened self-consciousness and self-focus characteristic of adolescence.
Imaginary Audience
Belief that everyone is constantly watching and judging you — feeling "on stage" all the time.
Example: Teenager mortified by a small pimple, convinced everyone at school will notice and judge them
Personal Fable
Belief that you are unique and invulnerable — "This can't happen to me" or "No one understands what I'm going through."
Example: Teenager engages in risky behavior believing they won't get hurt; feels their emotional experiences are uniquely intense
Identity Development (Marcia's Identity Statuses)
Based on Erikson's identity vs. role confusion stage, James Marcia identified four identity statuses based on exploration and commitment:
1. Identity Achievement (HIGH exploration + HIGH commitment)
Explored options and made commitments — stable, clear sense of self
2. Identity Moratorium (HIGH exploration + LOW commitment)
Actively exploring but hasn't committed yet — "trying on" different identities
3. Identity Foreclosure (LOW exploration + HIGH commitment)
Committed without exploring — adopted parents'/society's identity without questioning
4. Identity Diffusion (LOW exploration + LOW commitment)
No exploration, no commitment — confused, apathetic about identity
⚠️ Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
What are ACEs?
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic or stressful events occurring before age 18, including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction.
Types of ACEs:
- Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
- Physical or emotional neglect
- Parental substance abuse
- Parental mental illness
- Parental separation/divorce
- Domestic violence
- Incarcerated household member
Long-Term Effects:
- Difficulty with emotional regulation and impulse control
- Attachment difficulties and relationship problems
- Increased risk for anxiety, depression, PTSD
- Higher likelihood of substance abuse
- Chronic health problems in adulthood
- Risk-taking behaviors
- Note: Many individuals develop resilience with appropriate support and intervention
📝 AP Exam Strategy
Multiple Choice Tips
- Master attachment styles: Secure (consistent care, comfortable reunion), avoidant (emotionally distant, ignores reunion), anxious (inconsistent care, can't be comforted), disorganized (frightening care, contradictory)
- Know all 8 Erikson stages IN ORDER: Trust, Autonomy, Initiative, Industry, Identity, Intimacy, Generativity, Integrity
- Distinguish parenting styles: Authoritative (high-high, BEST), Authoritarian (high demands-low warmth), Permissive (low demands-high warmth), Neglectful (low-low, worst)
- Understand ecological systems: Microsystem (direct), Mesosystem (connections), Exosystem (indirect), Macrosystem (culture), Chronosystem (time)
- Identify adolescent patterns: Imaginary audience (feeling watched), personal fable (feeling unique/invulnerable)
- Recognize Harlow's contribution: Contact comfort > food for attachment
Free Response Question (FRQ) Tips
- Apply attachment to scenarios: Explain how Strange Situation behaviors reveal attachment style
- Link parenting to outcomes: Connect specific parenting approaches to child development patterns
- Use Erikson correctly: Match age/situation to appropriate stage and explain the crisis
- Explain ecological influences: Show how different systems interact to affect development
- Provide concrete examples: For each theory, give specific real-world applications
- Connect concepts: Link attachment security to later Erikson stages (intimacy vs. isolation)
- Address cultural context: Acknowledge how parenting effectiveness varies by culture
✨ Quick Review Summary
🔑 The Big Picture
Social-emotional development involves forming attachments, developing identity, and navigating relationships across the lifespan. Attachment (Bowlby, Ainsworth) is emotional bond between infant and caregiver; assessed via Strange Situation. Four styles: secure (consistent care, best outcomes), insecure-avoidant (rejecting care, emotionally distant), insecure-anxious/ambivalent (inconsistent care, clingy), disorganized (frightening care, contradictory behaviors). Harlow showed contact comfort > food. Temperament is biologically based reactivity style; goodness-of-fit matters. Parenting styles (Baumrind): authoritative (high demands+warmth, BEST), authoritarian (strict, low warmth), permissive (few rules, high warmth), neglectful (low-low, worst). Erikson's 8 stages: Trust vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame, Initiative vs. Guilt, Industry vs. Inferiority, Identity vs. Role Confusion, Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, Integrity vs. Despair. Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems: microsystem (direct contact), mesosystem (connections), exosystem (indirect), macrosystem (culture), chronosystem (time). Adolescent egocentrism: imaginary audience (feeling watched), personal fable (feeling unique/invulnerable). Identity statuses: achievement, moratorium, foreclosure, diffusion. ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) affect long-term development.
💡 Essential Concepts
- Attachment
- John Bowlby
- Mary Ainsworth
- Strange Situation
- Secure attachment
- Insecure-avoidant
- Insecure-anxious/ambivalent
- Disorganized attachment
- Harry Harlow
- Contact comfort
- Separation anxiety
- Temperament
- Goodness-of-fit
- Authoritative parenting
- Authoritarian parenting
- Permissive parenting
- Neglectful parenting
- Erikson's 8 stages
- Trust vs. Mistrust
- Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
- Initiative vs. Guilt
- Industry vs. Inferiority
- Identity vs. Role Confusion
- Intimacy vs. Isolation
- Generativity vs. Stagnation
- Integrity vs. Despair
- Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems
- Microsystem
- Mesosystem
- Exosystem
- Macrosystem
- Chronosystem
- Adolescent egocentrism
- Imaginary audience
- Personal fable
- Identity achievement
- Identity moratorium
- Identity foreclosure
- Identity diffusion
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
📚 AP Psychology Unit 3.6 Study Notes | Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan
Master attachment, Erikson, parenting styles, and adolescent development for exam success!