key term - Stranger Anxiety

Definition

Stranger anxiety is a developmental stage in infancy where a child becomes fearful or distressed in the presence of unfamiliar people or strangers. It typically emerges around 8-12 months of age and is considered a normal and adaptive response as the child develops a stronger attachment to their primary caregivers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Stranger anxiety is a normal and adaptive response that helps infants develop a sense of trust and security in their primary caregivers.
2. The emergence of stranger anxiety coincides with the development of object permanence, where infants realize that people and objects continue to exist even when out of sight.
3. Infants with secure attachments to their caregivers tend to exhibit more pronounced stranger anxiety, as they have a stronger emotional bond and sense of safety with their primary caregivers.
4. Factors that can influence the severity and duration of stranger anxiety include the child's temperament, the quality of the caregiver-child relationship, and the frequency of exposure to unfamiliar people.
5. Responding sensitively and consistently to a child's stranger anxiety can help them develop the social and emotional skills needed to navigate unfamiliar situations with more confidence.

Review Questions

• Explain how the development of object permanence relates to the emergence of stranger anxiety in infants.
  • The development of object permanence, which occurs around the same time as stranger anxiety, is a crucial factor in its emergence. When infants realize that people and objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight, they become more attuned to the presence of unfamiliar individuals. This newfound awareness can trigger feelings of distress or fear, as the infant recognizes the potential for separation from their primary caregiver. The ability to maintain a mental representation of their caregiver, even when they are not present, allows infants to form stronger attachments and heightens their sensitivity to strangers.
• Describe how the quality of the caregiver-child relationship can influence the development and expression of stranger anxiety.
  • The quality of the caregiver-child relationship is a significant factor in the development and expression of stranger anxiety. Infants with secure attachments to their primary caregivers tend to exhibit more pronounced stranger anxiety, as they have a stronger emotional bond and sense of safety with their caregiver. These infants have developed a deep trust and expectation of their caregiver's responsiveness, and the presence of a stranger can be perceived as a potential threat to this important relationship. In contrast, infants with insecure attachments may be less distressed by the presence of strangers, as they have not developed the same level of trust and reliance on their caregiver. The caregiver's sensitivity and responsiveness in addressing the child's stranger anxiety can also shape how the child learns to navigate and cope with unfamiliar social situations.
• Analyze how the frequency of exposure to unfamiliar people can influence the severity and duration of stranger anxiety in infants.
  • The frequency of exposure to unfamiliar people can significantly impact the severity and duration of stranger anxiety in infants. Infants who have more frequent interactions with strangers, such as through daycare, playdates, or family gatherings, may develop a greater tolerance and familiarity with unfamiliar individuals. This exposure allows them to learn that strangers are not inherently threatening and can help them develop the social and emotional skills needed to navigate these situations with less distress. Conversely, infants with limited exposure to unfamiliar people may be more prone to heightened and prolonged stranger anxiety, as they have had fewer opportunities to learn that strangers are not necessarily a threat to their safety and attachment to their primary caregiver. By gradually and sensitively exposing infants to new people and situations, caregivers can help them develop the confidence and coping strategies to manage stranger anxiety more effectively.

Related terms

Attachment Theory:

A theory that explains the importance of the emotional bond between an infant and their primary caregiver, and how this attachment shapes the child's social and emotional development.

Separation Anxiety: A developmental stage where a child experiences distress when separated from their primary caregiver, often occurring before the emergence of stranger anxiety.

Social Referencing: The process by which infants and young children use the emotional and behavioral cues of others, especially their caregivers, to guide their own responses to ambiguous or unfamiliar situations.