Final answer:
Emotional development is the understanding, expression, and management of emotions, while social development involves forming relationships and navigating social contexts. Both start in infancy with the formation of healthy attachments, and are shaped by the interplay of genetics, environment, and cultural factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between Emotional and Social Development
The difference between emotional development and social development primarily lies in the areas they encompass. Emotional development refers to the ability to understand, express, and manage emotions, and recognize the feelings of others. Social development, on the other hand, involves the ability to form and sustain relationships, navigate social contexts, understand social cues, and adapt to various social settings.
Emotional and social development both begin during infancy. This is a critical period where the foundations for future well-being are established. Forming healthy attachments is the major social milestone of this stage. These attachments are a result of interactions between the infant and caregivers, which are crucial for later emotional and social competence.
How these bonds form and how experiences such as neglect can impact these bonds are key concerns for developmental psychologists. Differences in child attachments are influenced by caregiver relationships and can vary widely based on individual circumstances. The interplay between genetics, environment, and cultural factors plays a significant role in both emotional and social development paths for children.