Development and Families Psychology 3906 It takes a

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Development and Families Psychology 3906

Development and Families Psychology 3906

It takes a village… • Oh how nice, yes we all get together and

It takes a village… • Oh how nice, yes we all get together and raise the children communally… • Umm, actually it takes a village of relatives – In the EEA we lived in family groups

Families • Basically kin • The idea of groups of relatives that stay together

Families • Basically kin • The idea of groups of relatives that stay together after sexual maturity • Helpers at the nest • Plus reciprocal altruism

Parent Offspring Conflict • If there is investment, the offspring would like it to

Parent Offspring Conflict • If there is investment, the offspring would like it to go on forever, the parents, eventually want to have more babies • OK, look at this genetically, the mother and daughter/son share. 5 of their genes • At some point, the mother would be better served by having another child.

Parent offspring conflict • The conflict continues until the parental cost = 2 x

Parent offspring conflict • The conflict continues until the parental cost = 2 x the benefits to the offspring • Then, it is in the best interests of the parent and the kid to have another kid show up • Not just the continuation of investment, but also the amount can be a bone of contention

Sibling rivalry • Well you share. 5 of your genes with your brother or

Sibling rivalry • Well you share. 5 of your genes with your brother or sister, but 1. 0 with yourself • Monozygotic twins should be nicer to each other than dizygotic twins are • Data are not too clear here

sharing • Makes sense to teach your kids to be nice • Especially to

sharing • Makes sense to teach your kids to be nice • Especially to relatives • However also to strangers in the right situation • Good for you and your kids

Infanticide • Depressing… • Common practice • If infant is not viable or if

Infanticide • Depressing… • Common practice • If infant is not viable or if mother is very young, has little resources • Again, please remember the naturalistic fallacy

Parental conflict • • Certainty of paternity Stepchildren More abuse to adopted kids We

Parental conflict • • Certainty of paternity Stepchildren More abuse to adopted kids We should be able to predict what the most common grounds for divorce are

Divorce • Infidelity and infertility • Cross cultural • Best bet for both if

Divorce • Infidelity and infertility • Cross cultural • Best bet for both if there is either of these it to leave

Development • Attachment • Separation anxiety appears right where it ought to • Why

Development • Attachment • Separation anxiety appears right where it ought to • Why are kids? • They have lots to learn – Social development – cognitive

Stop being such a baby • Good that kids are the way they are

Stop being such a baby • Good that kids are the way they are • Makes them practice • Makes them proud of little accomplishments • Basically self deception!

Social Clock • • Leaving, having kids, marrying etc Parents push kids out, usually

Social Clock • • Leaving, having kids, marrying etc Parents push kids out, usually Makes sense Grief for lost kids is greatest at about 11 or 12 • Fits well with the EEA and NOT now

conclusions • Our ideas about families and development need to be revamped • Arguments

conclusions • Our ideas about families and development need to be revamped • Arguments can be understood with this perspective, perhaps help some people • Kids are not little adults