Emotional and Social Development in Middle Childhood

Key Learning Outcomes

• Understanding Erikson's stage of industry vs. inferiority in middle childhood.
• Importance of peer relationships during this period.
• Insights into Kohlberg's theory on moral development stages.
• Consequences of divorce on children, both short-term and long-term.
• Issues related to sexual abuse in children.

Theories of Development

Freud’s Psychosexual Development: Latency Stage

• Ages 6 to puberty.
• A period of minimal psychosexual development.
• Focus shifts from erogenous zones to social relationships, education, and hobbies.

Erikson’s Psychosocial Development: Industry vs. Inferiority

• Children are industrious, engaging in planning, playing, and making friends.
• Success leads to a sense of competence; failure may result in feelings of inferiority.
• Encouragement and authentic feedback are crucial.

Self-Concept in Middle Childhood

• More realistic self-assessment compared to early childhood.
• Influenced by peers, family, and media.

The Society of Children

• Peer relationships become central, influencing self-worth and social skills.
• Challenges include bullying and peer rejection.
• Categories of children based on social acceptance: popular-prosocial, popular-antisocial, rejected, withdrawn-rejected, aggressive-rejected.

Bullying and Social Comparison

• Bullying involves power imbalances and is repetitive.
• Social comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy.

Moral Development

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

Pre-conventional Level

• Focus on physical consequences and self-interest.

Conventional Level

• Morality based on social approval and law adherence.

Post-conventional Level

• Morality based on social contracts and universal ethics.
• Stages 5 and 6 involve abstract thinking and ethical principles.

The Heinz Dilemma

• Used to illustrate stages of moral development through moral dilemmas.

Modern Views

• Emphasis on differences in moral reasoning between genders.
• Carol Gilligan's critique on Kohlberg's male-centric theory.

Stressors in Middle Childhood

Family Life

• Shift from family focus to peer interaction.
• Authoritative parenting is beneficial for development.

Impact of Divorce

• Short-term effects include grief, reduced living standards, and adjustment issues.
• Long-term effects may include economic status, improved parental relationships, and emotional independence.

Factors Influencing Divorce Impact

• Prior conflict levels, financial hardship, and parental adjustment are critical factors.

Issues of Sexual Abuse

• High prevalence among children, with severe psychological impacts.
• Cultural and gender dynamics influence reporting and experiences of abuse.
• Impact on self-concept and mental health.

Glossary

• Definitions of key terms such as aggressive-rejected, conventional moral development, false self-training, etc.

References

• Attribution to authors and sources for the content provided.

This summary provides a high-level overview of the emotional and social development aspects during middle childhood, as covered in the lecture.