SOCIAL GROWTH AND

DEVELOPMENT IN MIDDLE
CHILDHOOD (AGE 7-11)
INTRODUCTION
Erikson's primary developmental task of middle
childhood is to achieve industry, or the feeling of social
competence.
Competition (for example, athletics and daredevil
activities) and numerous social adjustments (trying to
make and keep friends) mark this developmental stage.
Successfully developing industry helps the child
build self-esteem, which in turn builds the self-
confidence necessary to form lasting and effective
social relationships.

SELF-CONCEPT IN MIDDLE CHILDHOOD
Most of the children develop a positive sense of:
Self-understanding
Self-definition
Self-control
Children who lack in one social area, they
typically try to find another area in which to
excel, which contributes to an overall sense of
self-esteem and belonging in the social world.

SOCIAL COGNITION IN MIDDLE
CHILDHOOD
As children grow up, they usually improve in
their use of:
Social cognition (experiential knowledge)
Understanding of society
Social inferences
Assumptions about the nature of social
relationships
Non-competitive activities among peers help
children to develop quality relationships
Whereas the competitive ones help them to
discover unique aspects of themselves.
Interact with their peers make them learn
trust, honesty, rewarding social relationships.

FAMILY RELATIONSHIP IN MIDDLE
CHILDHOOD
Middle childhood is a transitional stagea
time of sharing power and decision-making
with the parents.
This period is also time of increased
responsibility for children.
Most of them appreciate their parents
acceptance of their more adult-like role in
the family.
At this stage, children become more rebellious
and try to stand for what they feel is right.
Therefore, they are more likely to go against
the authority of the parents, causing control
to be joint, accepting input from both parents
and children.
FAMILY ENVIRONMENT
Family structure
better for children if in intact, two-parent family
with good relationships
Family atmosphere
more important than parental marital status
psychological: supportive and loving or
conflict-ridden
social: economic well-being or poverty
PEER RELATIONSHIP IN MIDDLE
CHILDHOOD
Childrens development seriously affects by the
formation of friendships in middle childhood.
They also help each other to develop self-esteem
and a sense of competency in the social world.
School age children are challenged with the issue
of being accepted in their school environment.
Friends influence childrens development in
several ways
Children are labelled by their peers as popular,
those that are thought of as the "best friend"
and accepted.
There are 3 types of children:-
Neglected children
Rejected children
Controversial children
BEHAVIORS FAVOURED IN FRIENDS
DURING MIDDLE CHILDHOOD
Most-liked
Sense of humour
Nice/friendly
Helpful
Complementary
Sharing
Loyalty

Least-liked
Verbal aggression
Dishonesty
Critical
Greedy/bossy
Teasing
Physical aggression

CHARACTERISTICS COMMON TO
POPULAR CHILDREN
They are helpful and cooperative.
They have a good sense of humour.
They have good emotional understanding.
They ask for help when necessary.
They are not overly reliant on others.
They can adapt to social situations.

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF
UNPOPULAR CHILDREN
Unpopular children lack social competence.
They may act immature or inappropriately
silly.
They may be overly aggressive and
overbearing.
They may be withdrawn or shy.
They may be unattractive, handicapped,
obese, or slow academically.
PEER GROUPS
Positive effects of peer group
learn gender-appropriate behaviour
develop skills for sociability and intimacy
develop cognitive skills
provide emotional security
Negative effects of peer groups
pressure to conform to undesirable behaviour
reinforce prejudice: in-group vs. out-group

SOCIAL GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT DURING
ADOLESCENT
Search for Identity (Erikson)
Become a unique adult with coherent sense of
self and a valued role in society
Crisis not fully resolved in adolescence
Issues of identity resurface during adulthood
Some degree of identity confusion is normal
Search for commitments of personal choice
Occupation
Life values
Sexual identity
Identity Formation
Gender Differences
Women develop identity and intimacy
together
establishing relationships and cooperation more
important than separate identity and competition
may no longer be true due to changes in womens
roles since 1970s
Adolescent girls may accept stereotypes and lose
self-esteem and self-confidence

Ethnic Factors
Minority groups integrate multiple
identities
Ethnicity may or may not be central to
identity
Problems surface when ethnic value system
clashes with larger society
Prejudice and discrimination may limit
choices

Relationships With Family
Adolescent rebellion
Emotional turmoil, alienation, and sharp
break with family standards experienced by
only 20%
Assumption that storm and stress is normal
may lead to failure to recognize troubled teens
Most teens fundamental values are close to
those of their parents
Most conflict with parents is over day-to-day
matters: dress, chores, money, curfew, friends

Family conflict
Seek autonomy & control
Need to assert independence
Renegotiate balance of power between
parent and child
Most conflict is in early adolescence
Parents have difficulty letting go
Teens are immature in judgments
Time when peer group has greatest influence
Relationships with Peers
Functions of Peer Group
Source of emotional support
Place for experimentation
Setting for independence from parents
Place to form intimate relationships
Influence of peer group can be positive or
negative
Family and Peer Interactions
Parents have indirect influence on choice of
friends
Early parent-child interactions set the stage for
prosaically or antisocial behavior which leads child
to seek friends and approval from particular
groups
Authoritative parenting style helps children
internalize social standards and resist negative
peer influences
Suicide
Adolescent suicide rate has tripled in last 30 years
3
rd
most common cause of adolescent death
Contributing factors include:
Stress
Depression
Family conflicts
Abuse/neglect
Drug/alcohol abuse
Cluster suicide (copy cat)

Sexuality
Sexual orientation is determined largely by
biological processes: genetics and hormones
Heterosexual: attracted to opposite sex
Homosexual: attracted to same sex
Homosexual fantasies and experiences are
common in adolescence
Changes in sexual attitudes and behaviour
More acceptance of homosexuality
Greater approval of premarital sex
Decline in double standard
Acceptance of masturbation as normal
Sexual Risk Taking
When sexual activity begins
By age 15 33% males 25% females
By age 19 86% males 80% females

Reasons for early sexual activity
Peer pressure
Curiosity
Sexual feelings and desires
Coercion (date rape)
Love

Sexual Risk Taking
Protection against pregnancy and STDs
Most sexually active adolescents (2/3) use condoms
and contraceptives
Those who dont are usually in early teens, have
low aspirations, are uninvolved, use drugs
Reasons for not using protective measures
Did not expect to have intercourse: unprepared
Lack of knowledge or access
Embarrassment
Fear their parents would find out
Sex Education
Most parents dont give enough information
Misinformation comes from friends
Advantages of adequate sex education
More likely to consistently use
contraceptives
More likely to postpone sexual activity
More likely to avoid pregnancy and STDs

Teen Pregnancy

YEAR
NO. OF PREGNANT UNDERAGE
GIRLS UNDER THE WELFARE
DEPARTMENT AID
2009 131

2010
(JANUARY APRIL)
111

Poor outcomes
Little to no prenatal care
Higher rates of low birth weight and prematurity
Immature body: still growing girl competes with
fetus for nutrients
CONCLUSION
Growth and development are two different
kind of things.
However, it can be affected by the same
aspect such as environemnt, family problems
or peer pressure.
Therefore, the parents should be more
sensetive towards their children.
It will give the children a healthy growth and
better development.