Attachment Flashcards
What did Harry Harlow observe?
He observed monkeys that were deprived of early social interactions
What did Harlow’s studies show?
That security is built on comfort and warmth
What is attachment?
A strong, enduring emotional bond with special people that endures across space and time
What does John Bowlby’s attachment theory claim?
It claims that children are biologically predisposed to develop attachments with caregivers as a means of increasing the chances of their own survival
What does attachment promote?
proximity-seeking in times of distress, allowing emotional co-regulations
What does attachment to the caregiver form?
A basis for an internal working model of social interactions
What did Bowlby suggest?
The four phases of attachment: preattachment phase, attachment-in-the-making, clear-cut attachment, and reciprocal relationships
When does the preattachment phase occur? What is it?
From birth to 6 weeks; The infant produces innate signals that bring otherss to his or her side and is comforted by the interaction that follows
When does the attachment-in-the-making phase occur? What is it?
Between 6 weeks to 6-8 months; The phase in which infants begin to respond preferentially to familiar people.
When does the clear-cut attachment phase occur? What is it?
Between 6-8 months and 1.5-2 years; Characterized by the infant’s actively seeking contact with their regular caregivers and typically showing separation protest or distress when the caregiver departs.
When does the reciprocal relationship phase occur? What is it?
Between 1.5 to 2 years; Involves children taking an active role in developing working partnerships with their caregivers
What did May Ainsworth related attachment to?
responsive parenting
What attachment results from an infant feeling positive & loved?
secure attachment
What attachment results from an infant feeling unloved & rejected?
avoidant attachment
What attachment results from an infant feeling angry & confused?
resistant attachment
How did Ainsworth assess infant attachment to their primary caregivers.
She developed a laboratory procedure called “The Strange Situation” where a parent introduces a child to a stranger who comforts the infant when left alone.
What reactions are assessed in “The Strange Situation”?
the reaction to the stranger’s entry, parent’s leaving, and parent’s return
What are the 6 coding behaviors in the Strange Situaion?
use of parent as secure base, social referencing & attention to parent, proximity to parent/clinginess, emotional reactions, and exploration of room & toys
What is secure attachment?
Distressed by parent leaving but easily comforted by parent return. secure base; not comforted by strangers
When children are securely attached, they can use caregivers as ___________.
When children are securely attached, they can use caregivers as A SECURE BASE FOR EXPLORATION.
What percent of American middle-class children are securely attached?
50-60%
How do you classify avoidant-insecure attachment?
Not distressed by parent leaving and avoid contact upon return. Can be comforted by strangers if upset when parent is out of the room. They are just as easily comforted by strangers as their caregiver.
What percent of American middle-class children are avoidant-insecurely attached?
15%
How do you classify resistant-insecure attachment?
fail to explore, angry & resistant upon return; cannot be comforted by a stranger. When the caregiver returns, they are not easily comforted and both seek comfort and resist efforts by the caregiver to comfort them.
