Parental Behavior
Specific behaviors influence children
• Direct instruction
• Modeling
• Feedback
Direct Instruction
• Explain to children what to do….
• WHEN
• WHY
Explain
• Explain the link between emotion and
behavior.
– Coach behavior
– Explain alternatives
– Explain how our actions affect others
Coaching
• Particularly powerful influence when paired
with modeling.
Modeling
• Learning by observing parent
– Learn what should be done
– Learn what should not be done
(counterimitation)
• Inhibition—if we see someone punished for
a behavior we are less likely to exhibit that
behavior
• Disinhibition—increase in observed
behaviors (parents fight so child fights)
Feedback
• Reinforcement—increases likelihood of
repeating the behavior
• Punishment—decreases likelihood of
repeating behavior while the punisher is
present
• Negative reinforcement trap—often with
mother and son
Negative Reinforcement Trap
• Mom: “Take out the trash.”
• Son: argues, complains, whines
• Mom: gives in
Punishment
• Immediate
• Consistent
• Explain why and what to do to avoid it next
time
• Warm relationship with punisher
Time Out
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Use caution
Purpose of time out
Use induction
Learn alternative
behaviors for future
use
So…Influence Children by
• Direct instruction
• Modeling behavior
that is valued
• Do not model
behavior you do not
want the child to learn
• Giving feedback
• Using authoritative
parenting style
Interactive Influences
• Parent and child
respond to each other
and elicit behaviors
• Influence of
temperament
• Patterns of interaction
emerge
Cultural Variations in Parenting
• Warmth
• Control
Styles of Grandparenting
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Formal
Fun-seeking
Distant
Dispensing-familywisdom
• Surrogate parent
Summary
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Parents influence behavior of children.
Children influence behavior of parents.
Wise adults are aware of those influences
Consider temperament
Consider culture
Consider grandparents’ role as family
members