PSY 223 1st Edition Lecture 13Children's Theories• Theory of mind• A person's theory of what other people might be thinking• The realization is seldom possible before age four• One big obstacle that hinders theory of mind: egocentricity! Being too focused on your own perspective doesn't allow for it • You have to have a certain level of abstract thought to be able to develop theory of mindEmotional development• Empathy- understanding other people’s feelings or concerns• Pro social behavior- extending helpfulness and kindness without any obvious benefit to oneself • Intrinsic motivation- performing an action or behavior because you enjoy the activity itself• Antipathy- not caring about other people and their feelings (the opposite of empathy)• Antisocial behavior- deliberately hurting another person, including people who have done no harm• Extrinsic motivation- done for the sake of some external outcomeEmotional balance• Externalizing problems- shouting, yelling, pushing or lashing out• Internalizing problems- keeping feelings to yourself, hiding them or holding them insideRecognizing and preventing abuse• Emotional abuseo psychologically damaging to a child• Physical abuse• Sexual abuse• NeglectPrevalence• Neglect and Physical abuse are the biggest forms of abuse to worry aboutPerpetrators• Usually parent 79.4%• Other relative • People who are close to the parents of the parents themselves These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Child Abuse• Emotional• Physical• Who is at risk? (For becoming an abuser) People who were abused themselves, mental health problems, drug use and addiction, stress, lack of parenting skills, domestic abuse• Signs of Abuse? Sensitive to other people, withdrawn from peers, not wanting to go home (afraid of parents), bruisesBruises-Reading them: • Watch the pattern, shape, if they stay over long periods of time, children acting weird when asking about bruises, long sleeves and pants in summerChild Neglect• Most frequent form of maltreatment• Failing to provide for basic needs-both physical and emotional • Who is at risk? Those with: Alcohol and other drug use, psychiatric issues that are not being treated or managed well• Signs of neglect? Clothes that are not seasonally appropriate, dirty clothes, come to school without lunch or lunch money, fall behind in school with no support, don't come to school or are late, come to school sick or injured, dirty home, not social, left unattended and unsupervised at home Consequences of Abuse and Neglect• Injury- children sporting suspicious bruises • Illness- children are often sick, perhaps due to poor living situations or a lack of parental care • Isolation- the kids don't talk about what is going on or telling people about it, • Lack of stimulation- children are not encouraged to be social, active or academically involved (besides school)• Academic deficits – children struggling in school • Social Deficits- children withdrawn from peers • Self-destructive behavior continuing into adulthoodStatistics• The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data (NCANDS) reported an estimate of 1,760 child fatalities in 2007• Neglect is number one • Physical abuse is number two • This occurs mostly when children are 0-3• The number and rate of fatalities have been increasing over the past 5 years What to do if a child outcries• Don't: Panic or confront the offender• Do: Stay calm and believe the childTips• Parenting is hard• Ask for help• Connect with others• Smile and offer kind words not scorn• Be aware of stressors• Take a time out• Educate yourself• Let kids know it is okay to be upset• Remember Young children are not in control of their feelings• Teach effective emotion regulation skillsGetting Help• If you suspect that a child is in immediate danger, contact law enforcement as soon as possible• To get help in the US call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)• To get help for child sexual abuse call