Deck 13: Seciton 1: Middle Childhood: Psychosocial Development

Question 1

What are two criticisms of Kohlberg's theory of moral development? Do you think these criticisms are valid? Explain your thinking.

Answer 1

Kohlberg has been criticized for 1) not appreciating cultural or 2) gender differences. For example, loyalty to family overrides any other value in some cultures, so some people might avoid postconventional actions. Also, Kohlberg's 3) original participants were all boys, which may have led him to discount female values. Kohlberg seemed to 4) value abstract principles more than individual needs. Furthermore, Kohlberg did not seem to recognize that 5) although children's morality differs from that of adults, their values may be equally valid. School-age children may be right to question or ignore adult rules that seem unfair, and their questions may actually be postconventional.

Question 2

Emmy's son is being bullied at school, and the problem shows no signs of abating. Based on the research, should she be concerned? Should she get involved? If so, how? If not, why not?

Answer 2

Emmy should be concerned, as victims of bullying can be anxious, depressed, and underachieving. The results can be long-lasting, too, and may result in low self-esteem and painful memories years later. Emmy should get involved by teaching her child problem-solving skills, supporting her child's academic progress, and helping to change her son's negative assumptions. Furthermore, Emmy can make teachers and administrators aware of this situation. Teachers can aim to successfully mediate peer conflicts and encourage empathy in the classroom, and schools as a whole can work to change their culture. If the situation persists, Emmy should take steps to have her son moved to a different environment (another classroom or even another school).

Question 3

Discuss the three elements that form the shared environment and any three elements that form the nonshared environments of siblings raised together.

Answer 3

The shared environment for siblings 1) raised together in one home includes 2) the same parents and 3) the same household structure.
There are nonshared elements as well because 1) life events and 2) family changes (like moving to a new city, the birth of a new baby, or going through a divorce) occur at different ages for the siblings, so the experiences of the family are not experienced by the individuals in the same way. Other nonshared environmental influences include 3) different friends, 4) different teachers, and 5) different activities.

Question 4

Explore the relationship among family income, conflict, and family function. Include a discussion of the family-stress model in predicting the impact of low and high incomes on children.

Question 5

Name the five ways that a functional family nurtures its school-age children. Which area was the strongest in your family? How did your family nurture this area? Which area was the weakest in your family? Why?

Question 6

Name and describe the first two levels of Kohlberg's stages of moral reasoning. How does a preschool child's morality differ from that of a school-age child?

Question 7

How is family function connected to family structure? Offer three examples of different family structures.

Question 8

Define resilience and identify two factors in a child's life that can support resilience.

Question 9

Erikson's fourth psychosocial crisis defines children during their middle childhood years. Name and define this crisis and note how the resolution of the crisis relates to the development of the self.

Question 10

Michelle, a well-liked fourth-grader, accidentally ran into Lisa, an aggressive-rejected fifth-grader, bumping Lisa's backpack off her shoulder. Given what you know about behaviors associated with being well-liked or aggressive-rejected at this age, what do you predict will be the response of each girl to this incident? How will each girl interpret the incident? How do you think it will be resolved?