A3 - Emotional development across the life stages

Question 1

A3.1

Define Attachment

Answer 1

Attatchment is described as a strong emotional attachment between a child and their caregiver.

Question 2

A3.1

Define Self image

Answer 2

Self image is the way in which a person sees themselves - a mental image of themselves.

Question 3

A3.1

Define Self esteem

Answer 3

Self esteem is how a person feels about themselves, self worth or pride.

Question 4

A3.1

Define Self concept

Answer 4

Self concept is described as how we see and feel about ourselves as a unique individual.

Question 5

A3.1

What is said about emotional development during infancy?

Answer 5

Emotional development begins with attachments which an infant forms to their main caregiver.

A child that forms strong attachments to their main caregiver can in turn have a positive self image and a good self esteem.

Question 6

A3.1

What did John Bowlby’s theory state?

Answer 6

Bowlby (1953) states that :
* during an infant’s first months, they form one primary attachment.
* This attachment to the primary caregiver is essential for development.
* A disruption to attachment has a negative impact on development.

Question 7

A3.1

State reasons why a person’s attachment to someone may be disturbed

Answer 7

• Prematurity
• Post-natal depression (PND)
• Separation
• Foster care/adoption
• Emotional unavailability
• Disability

Question 8

A3.1

Explain why Prematurity may cause a disturbed attachment

Answer 8

If a premature baby is in an incubator, they cannot be picked up. Thus, affecting the attachment process.

Question 9

A3.1

Explain why Post Natal Depression (PND) may cause a disturbed attachment.

Answer 9

Some mothers are depressed after birth, but PND lasts longer and may affect a mother’s ability to bond with her baby.

Question 10

A3.1

Explain why Separation may cause a disturbed attachment.

Answer 10

Separation of parents from their baby, e.g due to illness, bereavement or the parents divorcing can affect attachment. This can impact on a baby’s sense of identity.

Question 11

A3.1

Explain why Foster care/adoption may cause a disturbed attachment.

Answer 11

‘looked after children’, children within the care system, may experience inconsistency of caregivers , which can affect attachments and their sense of identity.

Question 12

A3.1

Explain why Emotional Unavailability may cause a disturbed attachment.

Answer 12

This may be due to parents having problems with alcohol or drug abuse, illness or generally struggling with their role.

Question 13

A3,1

Explain why Disability may cause a disturbed attachment.

Answer 13

Some parents find it harder to attach to a baby with a disability, and they may struggle with their feelings. Some babies with disabilities may experience difficulty forming attachments.

Question 14

A3.1

What might disrupted attachment cause?

Answer 14

• jealousy
• difficulty in forming trusting relationships.
• anxiety/depression
• delinquency/minor crime
• social withdrawal
• behavioural problems (ADHD)

Question 15

A3.1

What did Shaffer and Emerson say about Bowlby’s theory of attachment?

Answer 15

Shaffer and Emerson suggested that babies are more likely to form sound attachments to caregivers who respond positively to their signals.
- Playing and communicating is important for strong attachment.

Question 16

A3.1

Shaffer and Emerson’s stages of attachment

Answer 16

• Birth-3 months: responds to any caregiver.
• 4-7 months: Shows preference for primary caregiver but accepts care from others.
  7-9 months: Prefers primary caregiver and seeks comfort from them; unhappy when separated and shows fear of strangers.
• 10 months+: Begins to develop attachments with others who respond to them. By 18 months most infants have formed multiple attachments.

Question 17

A3.1

What are the three types of attachment according to Mary Ainsworth’s strange situation classification?

Answer 17

• Secure
• Insecure/avoidant
• Insecure/resistant

Question 18

A3.1

What does Secure Attachment entail? (SSC) (Ainsworth)

Answer 18

Parenting style: in tune with the child and their emotions.
Infants’ behaviour: will show distress when primary caregiver leaves, and greets them when they return; seeks comfort from caregiver when upset; happy with strangers when caregiver is present.

Question 19

A3.1

What does Insecure/avoidant attachment entail?

Answer 19

Parenting style: unavailable to child/rejects them.
Infants’ behaviour: does not show distress when primary caregiver leaves; continues to explore the environment; may go to a stranger for comfort.

Question 20

A3.1

What does Insecure/resistant attachment entail?

Answer 20

Parenting style: Inconsistent in meeting the child’s needs.
Infants’ behaviour: Shows distress when primary caregiver leaves but resists contact on their return; shows anxiety and insecurity.

Question 21

A3.1

Rutter’s Criticisms of Bowlby’s attachment theory

Answer 21

• Bowlby oversimplified the theory.
• Maternal deprivation in itself may not lead to long term issues.
• Attachment is infact learned behaviour influenced by external factors - environment/culture.

Question 22

A3.1

Factors that may affect attachment

Answer 22

• Family connection - siblings/busy lifestyle
• Beliefs - parenting style/religion
• Culture - long distance relationships (education)
• Environment - housing conditions, neglect, vacant parents.

Question 23

A3.2

Emotional development during Early Childhood

Answer 23

• Use their imagination to begin to understand the social roles that other people play.
• They start to imagine a ‘me’, an idea of self or self concept.
• Relationships with other family members may influence whether a child feels valued or has a sense of self-worth.
• The way a child gets on with teachers and friends may influence this self-confidence.
• The child might develop a permanent sense of confidence or a sense of failure and inferiority.

Question 24

A3.2

Emotional development during adolescence

Answer 24

• During adolescence, this sense of self continues to develop.
• An adolescent needs to develop a secure self concept.
• A person needs a clear understanding of identity in order to feel secure when working with other people or in order to make a loving sexual attachment.
• This may be a stressful time as self-esteem may depend on developing identity.

Question 25

A3.2

Emotional development during Early and Middle Adulthood

Answer 25

• In adulthood, an individuals’ self esteem is influenced by lifestyle such as: their job or marital status.
• Self-image is affected by personal appearance and how others see you.
• Individuals need to learn to cope with emotional attachment to a sexual partner.
  - This may involve not being too self-centered, defensive and not becoming emotionally isolated.

Question 26

A3.2

Emotional development during Later Adulthood

Answer 26

• Older people need a secure sense of self to enable them to cope with the physical changes associated with ageing and death.
• People who fail to make sense of their lives might experience emotional despair.