attachment

Question 1

what is attachment

Answer 1

close and enduring bond w primary caregiver

• seek closeness
• enables exploration of the world
• management of arousal and emotion

Question 2

Bowlby’s attachment theory 1969

Answer 2

pre-attachment (0-6w): baby’s innate signal attract cregiver, infant is comforted

attachment in the making(6-8w): dev sense trust that caregiver will respond when signalled -> expectations

clear cut attachment (8w-1 1/2 y): seek contact w caregiver ‘secure base’. separation anxiety

reciprocal relationship (1 1/2 y -2y): understand parents feelings, goals and motive. establishing proximity w parent -working partnership. separtion anxiety reduces

Question 3

how to measure attachment

Answer 3

strange situation
-> reaction of infant to caregiver & a stranger observed during set of eight event
infants behavior is coded

Question 4

styles of attachment

Answer 4

secure attachment (50-60%)

• > leaves but check back, distress by seperation, happy to see mother on reunion, comforted
• model: affection, trust *action: open, honest

insecure attachment:

• avoidant attachment (15%)
• > tend to avoid mother in room. fail to greet mother
  mother: indifferent and emotionally unavailable, ca reject attempts at closeness
• model: no affection, rejection *action: avoid
• ambivalent attachment (9%)
• > clingy, distressed by absence of mother, seeking contact but resisting behavior
  mother: inconsistent, overwhelmed by parenting
• model:
• disorganized attachment (15%)
• > no consistency confuse and contradictory (fear when approaching, switch from calm to anger)
  mother: abusive, frightening or disorganised behavior

–> dev of internal working model of attachment relationships, implication for psycho, social,cognitive functionng

Question 5

maternal sensitivity

Answer 5

def: mother's ability to perceive and infer meaning behind infant behavioral signals 
key to maternal sensitivity:
-consistently responsive 
-reading infant's signals accurately 
-responding quickly
-showing warmth

securely attached children -> maternal sensitivity
insecurely attached children ->less evidence for maternal sensitivity

Question 6

cross cultural evidence

Answer 6

maternal sensitivity associated w child security in all cultures

Question 7

genetic influence

Answer 7

genes can effcet the way environment influence attachment security
more influence of environment than genetics

Question 8

internal working model

Answer 8

early attachment relationship–> dev of internal working model : mental representation the self, attachment figure and relationships, guides expectation of relationship throughout life, affects social, emotional and behavioural adjustment
foundation of adult attachment style

Question 9

adult attachment style

Answer 9

autonomous (secure)
recalls attachment related experiences openly/objectively. see them as important

dismissing (avoidant)
dismisses attachment relationship, little concern, value. inconsistent account

preoccupied(ambivalent)
focused on parents, focus and angry accounts. caught up in memories not coherent

unresolved (disorganised)
experienced trauma, early death of attachment figure, lack reasoning, don’ t make sense

Question 10

intergenerational transmission

Answer 10

attachment style in infancy–>attachment style in adulthood–> how interact w their infants (parental sensitivity)