Parental styles refer to the different approaches that parents use to raise their children. The four main styles identified by psychologists are authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful. Each style varies in terms of responsiveness and demandingness, influencing children's behavior and development. Authoritative parents are supportive yet set clear boundaries, while authoritarian parents enforce strict rules with little warmth. Permissive parents are nurturing but lack control, and neglectful parents are uninvolved in their children's lives. Understanding these styles can help improve parenting practices and child outcomes.