Question

Alice has a neglectful mother, but no other environmental risk factors. Tommy has a neglectful mother as well as a neighborhood with no parks and high crime. Alice is expected to cope better than Tommy. What important idea does this demonstrate?

Answer 1

Alice and Tommy's situation exemplifies the concept of cumulative risk in developmental psychology, where multiple risk factors can compound to influence a child's well-being, demonstrating why Alice might cope better than Tommy with only one risk factor.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario involving Alice and Tommy who both have a neglectful mother demonstrates the concept of cumulative risk in developmental psychology. This concept posits that a child's outcomes are influenced not just by one factor, but by the accumulation of various risk factors. Alice, who faces only one risk factor, the neglect from her mother, is expected to cope better than Tommy, who in addition to a neglectful mother, is also exposed to an environment with no parks and high crime.

Tommy's multiple risk factors likely compound, making coping more challenging and increasing the likelihood of negative outcomes. This example highlights the importance of the broader environment beyond the immediate family setting, as additional stressors can exacerbate the effects of parental neglect.