6- Social development and attachment

Question 1

Who is Bowlby?

Answer 1

• Father of attachment
• Maternal deprivation theory

Question 2

What is maternal deprivation theory?

Answer 2

Lack of motherly love during development
- Motherly love is very important for development and mental health
- Bowlby’s theory of attachment
o Influenced by animal studies- Lorenz
- Harlow
o Babies cling to mother for comfort

Question 3

What are the attachment phases?

Answer 3

1. Pre-attachment (0-2 months)
2. Attachment in the making (3-6 months)
3. Clear cut attachment (7-9 months)
4. Multiple attachments (24+ months)

Question 4

What was the strange situation?

Answer 4

A child’s attachement type was tested based on willingness to explore, behaviour on separation with mother and behaviour around strangers

Question 5

What is Secure Attachment (B)?

Answer 5

• Explore environment when mother is present
• Will get distressed when mum leaves
• Easily comforted by mother upon reuinion
• 60-65% of children

Question 6

What is insecure avoidant attachment (A)?

Answer 6

Insecure avoidant (A)
- Indifferent towards caregiver
- Less distressed when separated
- Easily comforted by mother and stranger
- 20% of children

Question 7

What is insecure resistant/ ambivalent attachment (C)?

Answer 7

Insecure resistant/ambivalent (C)
- Low willingness to explore
- Upset upon separation
- Won’t be comforted upon reunion
- 10% of children

Question 8

What is disorganised attachment (D)?

Answer 8

Disorganised attachment (D)
- Came later
- Fear of parent
- Nonsensical behaviour

Question 9

What did Bowlby believe was needed when testing a child’s attachment?

Answer 9

Stress