KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

• Libido

• Cathexis

• Trust versus mistrust

• Conditioning of emotions

• Nativist

• Cognitive/constructionist

• Attachment

• Temperament

Introduction

Parents have long known, and child development researchers are coming to better understand the rich and complex emotional and social experience of the young child. Historically, researchers' understanding of the parent–infant socio-emotional relationship has undergone considerable transformation in the last century. The major changes that have taken place are:

• a greater understanding of the extent of the infant's socioemotional capabilities;

• the view of the infant as an active participant in the development of his or her capabilities;

• a greater appreciation of individual differences between infants.

In this chapter consideration will be given to various theoretical views of infant socio-emotional development, the nature of emotions, attachment and infant temperament. The Family Lifecycle: 8 discusses a woman's preparation for motherhood.

Theoretical foundations

An examination of some basic theoretical perspectives as proposed by Freud and Erikson will provide a foundation for understanding the quantum shifts in thinking which have occurred regarding the nature of social/emotional development in infancy.