6) Child Psychological Development Flashcards
When does a baby start to form specific attachments to “key people” and start to be wary about strangers?
7-8 months
What are the positive outcomes of a secure attachment in a child early life?
- Better social competence
- Better Peer relations
- Self reliance
- Better motional and physical health
What was Ainsworth’s “stranger situation” test?
Mother and child playing in a room, mother leaves child with stranger and you observe how the child reacts. Then, she comes back and you observe how the child reacts - this is the key part.
What is an insecure avoidant style of attachment? What does the indicate about the mother/child relationship?
Child is happy to be separated from mother, indicating the mother encourages an independent lifestyle for the child
What is an insecure ambivalent style of attachment? What does the indicate about the mother/child relationship?
Child is a bit clingy and distressed even with the mother, she can’t comfort them. This indicates an inconsistent with her response to the child.
What is an insecure disorganised style of attachment? What does the indicate about the mother/child relationship?
Child didn’t seem to enjoy the mother being back, indicates the mother is depressed or even possibly abusing the child.
Why is the short absence of a carer most distressing to children aged 6 months to 3 years?
- Can’t keep image of carer in their head
- Poor language skills, don’t understand she’ll be back tomorrow etc.
- Feel abandoned, ideas of punishment for being ‘naughty’
What criticisms are given to attachment theory?
- Too simplistic
- Overly focused on mothers
- Multiple attachment figures
- Quality of substitute care not considered
Why in the 1950s/60s was parental access to children in hospitals limited?
- Wards sterile and clinical - parents bring disease
- Parents leaving was distressing for child - limit their visits, reduce distress
What changes (as compared to the 1950s/60s) have been put in place in the clinical environment to improve the experience for children?
- Allow carer access
- Allow attachment objects (transitional objects - no longer relying on parents, road to independence)
- Reassure child they aren;t being punished
- Environment like home
- Toys
- High quality care (nurses) - the same people seeing them.
What four stages make up Piaget’s theory of cognitive development? What ages are they related to?
- Sensorimotor (0-2)
- Preoperational (2-7)
- Concrete operational (7-12)
- Formal operational (12+)
What criticisms are given about the Piagetian approach ?
- Focuses on what a child can’t do, now what they can do
- It encourages given partial information as the child won’t understand - damaging as they will form own ideas
What did Harlow theorise was the main reason for attachment between a carer and a child? What was it thought to be before this?
Safety and support as opposed to giving food beforehand
What behaviours do infants exhibit to keep a carer close?
- Proximity seeking behaviours - following them around
- Contact maintaining behaviours - crying to get them to come over
What three stages of social development in infancy did Schaffer outline?
- 6 weeks - newborns show preference for humans over inanimate objects
- 3 months -distinguish strangers from non-strangers, however, anyone can handle them
- 7/8 months - specific attachments form, don’t want to be held by strangers
