While reading chapter 10 of the textbook, I was specifically intrigued by the last section that deals with our social and moral development. It was especially interesting to learn about all the different temperament styles and attachment styles
It's fascinating how babies differ in their social interaction styles, but I wonder what the underlying cause is for these differences. For example, any parent wouldn't want their child to have high levels of behavioral inhibition, since it leads to shyness and anxiety disorders later in childhood. So is there anything parents can do to decrease this? Or is it all genetic?(102)
Since I have a 2-year old cousin, I can definitely set him in a specific attachment style. However, this varies depending on the relationship with the person leaving. For example this past weekend I went to visit, and when we were about to go he would refuse to let us leave. He would hold my hand and ensure that I stayed with him, until I really had to leave. He started crying and got very fussy as I ran out the house to meet my mom in the car. I now know that he has a secure attachment with me, but it hurts that I have to see him cry so much each time I leave.
All in all, reading chapter 10 has provided me with better knowledge with how we psychologically develop. It's really fun to watch all these changes with younger children I'm close to!
You mention that you are curious about the underlying cause for these moral developments, but I think something that must be considered is that it's a multifaceted event. There are so many different things that one experiences in life that facilitates this development, from the basic nature vs nurture causes, as well as the societal influences and exposures.
I think a lot of parents and caregivers have the same questions as you do, especially regarding social interaction styles. I'm sure many parents try to encourage shy children to be social within their peer groups; however, in many cases, it seems that a child's social disposition is difficult to change. I would assume that most researchers would encourage parents to teach their children the most efficient social interaction styles, just as parents teach their kids to be polite at the dinner table. However, I also think that these differences in social interaction can be influential in creating a diverse society. So do we really need to change anything, per se, or do we just need to learn the most efficient way to raise our kids so that their own personal social skills are most beneficial to society? Are we already doing this now? I wonder how we can change the way we raise our kids, if we can even change it at all.
It's cool that you can look to real-world examples and apply what we learn. I also think your entry raises a good question and/or point about the nature vs. nurture debate. Assuming parents are "good" parents rather than "bad" parents, one must wonder, as you said, what causes babies to exhibit certain behaviors--temperaments and attachment styles--if they have not been exposed to as many different environmental/nurturing factors.
I found this section interesting as well. When raising kids, I don't think trying to manage it in such a way as to totally block a certain behavior from your child would work out too well. If you push a child too much in a particular way, that could directly backfire or lead him/her to other negative emotions or destructive behaviors. I think the best way to raise children is with regular love and discipline, and by speaking with your actions, not just with words. It's a tricky balance, as you don't want to be too lax with your child, but not too strict, either, so again you have to take each situation by its circumstances and remember that your child is his/her own person, and that while you can raise him/her the way you want, you can't *control* him/her.