The origins of social emotions and self‐regulation in toddlerhood: New evidenc
Karen Caplovitz Barrett
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Abstract
In recent years, there has been increased attention to the development of “moral,” “social”, or “self‐conscious” emotions, such as embarrassment, shame, and pride, in 2‐ and 3‐year olds. In the present study, 17‐month‐olds’ behaviours in several contexts were observed; and observations of behaviours of their parents were obtained. Results indicated that toddlers did react appropriately to the situations, and their behaviours in the semi‐naturalistic situations cohered as three factors: a guilt factor, an embarrassment factor, and an anxiety/inhibition factor. Embarrassed behaviour included a smile accompanied by indications of embarrassment (gaze aversion, lip press, lip bite, and/or body touching/self‐adaptors). Moreover, parental behaviours systematically predicted children’s behaviour patterns, but self‐recognition was unrelated to most behaviours. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.
Issue: Volume 19, Number 7 / November 2005
Pages: 953 – 979
