Definitions
Socio-Economic Status (SES)
An individual’s or family’s economic and social position, typically measured by income, education, and occupation.
Key Studies
Evans and Schamberg (2009)
Aim: To explore the relationship between poverty and working memory development.
Method: Correlational study examining children’s working memory and SES background.
Procedure: Researchers assessed working memory using standardized tests and collected SES data through parent surveys.
Results: Children from low-SES backgrounds exhibited poorer working memory, linked to chronic stress.
Conclusion: Chronic stress associated with poverty disrupts cognitive development.
Farah et al. (2008)
Aim: To investigate the impact of SES on brain development.
Method: Cross-sectional study using neuroimaging and cognitive tests.
Procedure: Children from varying SES backgrounds were assessed for cognitive and neural differences.
Results: Low SES correlated with reduced prefrontal cortex activity and lower performance on executive function tasks.
Conclusion: SES significantly impacts brain development and cognitive outcomes.
Key Concepts
- Impact of Poverty:
- Reduced access to educational resources and healthcare.
- Higher exposure to chronic stressors such as housing instability.
- Cognitive Consequences:
- Impaired working memory and attention regulation.
- Delayed language development due to limited early learning opportunities.
- Mitigation Strategies:
- Early intervention programs like Head Start improve outcomes for children in poverty.
- Community support networks and after-school programs play a vital role.
Critical Thinking
Practical Implications:
- Governments can address poverty’s impact by investing in universal pre-K programs, nutrition support, and parenting education.
- Societal Impact: Addressing poverty requires systemic changes, such as reducing income inequality and increasing access to affordable childcare.
