Final answer:
The question pertains to the role of friends in middle childhood and their impact on learning behavioral norms and self-presentation skills, which falls under the category of Social development. This stage is significant for social interactions and the development of a self-concept based on societal norms, predominantly within middle school-aged children.
Step-by-step explanation:
In middle childhood, friends play a crucial role in informing each other about behavioral norms and mastering skills essential for adept self-presentation and impression management. While companionship does impact cognitive and emotional facets of development, the correct answer to the question is c) Social development. This stage of development is characterized by crucial social interactions where children establish and learn about relationships, understand and manage their feelings, and develop a self-concept based on the perspectives of others. A key component is learning about the generalized other, the socialized expectations of society, which contributes to how children see themselves and enhances their ability to navigate the social world with greater competence.
During this time, children between the ages of six and ten develop more independent and active physical routines, such as participating in sports or engaging in diverse peer-group activities. This period is also marked by cognitive skills growing more logical and organized when dealing with concrete information. However, the content loaded in middle childhood is predominantly related to psychosocial progress, as children begin to understand their own identities in relation to their peers and society at large, laying the foundation for their social selves.