The temperament of a child using the developmental niche will say that depending on what environment the child is in will depend on the reaction the child gets from that environment. A parent will respond to their child differently than a teacher will. Depending on the temperament, the child may get more of less attention in certain environment. With the goodness of fit, the response from the child's temperament will depend on the family. If the child's fussiness disrupts the family routine then negative parental reactions will result.
2. Distinguish among different cultural constructions of person and self as described in the chapter.
In a study of self concept between Japan and the United States, there were differences in how people saw themselves. American used more psychological traits to describe them. Japanese subjects included the larger context when describing them.
3. Describe independent and interdependent conceptions of self as they relate to the larger cultural dimension of individualism/collectivism.
The view of the self results from early exposure to different values. If a child is raised in a collectivist environment then they will see themselves in relation to the people that are important in their life. If relationships change then they themselves must change. If they are raised in an individualistic environment then their relationship with other people won't change how they view the self.
4. Critically evaluate the cross-cultural validity of Erikson's ideas on identity formation.
Identity formation depends on developing trust, establishing autonomy, taking initiative, and developing a sense of competency. Evidence of identity cross-culturally is scares. Kibbutz children showed that the children struggled to integrate their individuality with the collective norms.
5. Use the concept of social clocks as a developmental framework and apply it to a variety of specific ecological systems.
The social clock is "the schedule by which individuals are presumed to complete the major tasks within the lifespan". Helson's study shows that women have defined their developmental niche by developing attributes that would fit their for their role as a mother and a wife.