S/T Developmental Psychology

The family provides the first context for human socio-emotional development across cultures, although child-rearing styles vary widely.  The focus of this course is on the family roots to child social development:  What do parents do to provide a secure emotional base for their children?  What circumstances within the family can disrupt emotional security?  How do children adapt to different family environments?  What is child resilience in the face of adversity?  Do family relationship patterns re-surface in the next generation?  We will review psychological theories of family influences on temperament, attachment, personality, antisocial behavior and success in peer relations spanning infancy to adolescence.  The course provides a foundation for advanced courses in human development and research.