Attachment Flashcards
define attachment
a close 2-way emotional bond between two individuals in which each individual sees the other as essential for their own emotional security
what are the 3 behaviours of attachment
proximity, separation distress, secure-base behaviour
proximity
people try to stay physically close to those to whom which they are attached
separation distress
people are distressed when an attachment figure leaves their presence
secure-base behaviour
Even when we are independent of our attachment figures we tend to make regular contact with them. Infants display secure-based behaviour when they regularly return to their attachment figure while playing
what are the purpose of attachment bonds
Attachment can influence later relationships by shaping individuals’ expectations and behaviors in close relationships. Those with secure attachment styles tend to have healthier relationships, while those with insecure attachment styles may struggle with intimacy and trust.
caregiver infant interactions
-From an early age babies have meaningful social interactions with their carers. It is believed that these interactions have important functions for the child’s social development in particular for development of caregiver-infrant interaction
define alitrical
-human babies are altricial which means that they are born at a relatively early stage of development
-we need to form bonds with adults who will protect and nurture them
precocial animals
-Humans are different to precocial animals which are animals born at an advanced stage of development e.g foals
short term and long term benefits of infant-caregiver interactions
Short term benefits –> survival
Long-term benefits –> emotional relationships, it is believed that first relationships acts as a template for later relationships
key interaction between caregivers and infants
non-verbal communication which forms the basis of attachment between and infant and care-giver
define reciprocity
A description of how two people interact. Mother-infant interaction is reciprocal in that both infant and mother respond to eachother’s signals and each elicts a response from the other
define interactional synchronicity
Mother and infant reflect both the actions and emotions of the other and do this in a co-ordinated way (mirroring of actions)
research evidence for reciporicity
Research evidence for reciprocity:
-Brazleton (1975) –> described mother infant interactions as a dance
-mother an infant respond to eachother, the mother takes the lead and the infant respond or follow like a dance
-mother plays with her child and stops reacting for two minutes to see how the baby will react
research evidence for interactional synchrony
-Meltzoff and Moore (1977) –> conducted first systematic study of interactional synchrony and found that infants as young as two to three weeks old imitated specific facial and hand gestures
-The study was conducted using an adult model who displayed one of three facial expressions or hand movements where the fingers moved in a sequence
-A dummy was placed in the infant’s mouth during the initial display to prevent any response
-Following the display the dummy was removed and the child’s expression was filmed. They found that there was an association between the infant behaviour and adult model
Isabella et al (1989) found that securely attached mother-infant pairs had shown more instances of interactional synchrony in first year of life
—> high levels of synchrony were associated with better quality mother which is thus reflective of the quality and emotional intensity of the relationship
strengths of controlled observations of caregiver-infant interactions
Strengths –> Controlled observations capture fine detail –> generally well-controlled procedures which ensures all details are recorded and later analyzed –> ensures no demand characteristics so valid
Less chance of demand characteristics
limitations of controlled infant-caregiver interactions
There are many studies which show the interactions between parents and infants. However, what is being observed is merely hand movements or changes in expression. It is extremely difficult to be certain based on these observations (lacks generalisability and validity)
-Observations don’t tell use the purpose of synchrony and reciprocity –> For example Feldman points out that synchrony and reciprocity simply describe behaviours that occur at the same time
-Care-giver infant interactions is not found in all cultures –> Le Vine et al (1994) reported that Kenyan mothers have little physical interactions or physical contact with their infants. Thus research may be ethnocentric and ignores how attachments may be formed within other cultures
define a controlled observation
researchers conduct observations of participants in a controlled environment. Researcher selects which participants to observe and when/where to observe them.
Reasons for animal attachment studies
generations of animals are quicker than in humans, animals provide a larger sample, animals are less likely to show demand characteristics, some animal species are closely linked to humans
Attachment behaviour is common among many species of animal, including humans so the study of animals is useful
Lorenz’s geese study
-links to biological approach
-Procedure –> Wanted to see attachment behaviours of geese soon after hatching. One group = hatched by mother 2nd group = hatched by Lorenz in incubator
-Findings –> Even if Lorenzo mixed the groups they remained loyal to their attachment figures. Named this phenomena Imprinting which occurs between 12-17 hours after hatching. Led to notion that there are critical periods in the development of brain and behaviour
Contradictory research –> Guiton found that mating behaviour could be relearned (imprinting is not permanent)
Harlow’s monkey study
-Procedure –> infant monkeys are removed from the mother at birth. Two mothers given (wire and cloth). Observational study. Monkeys killed after the experiment
-Findings –> Monkey spends 22 hours a day on cloth mother and only goes to wire mother for food. Critical period was also established (if attachment was not formed then maternal deprivation would occur). Quality of early relationships will lead to successful adult relationships
-Conclusions –> attachment os necessary for comfort and security rather than food
strengths of animal attachment studies
Evolutionary basis of behaviour – As attachment can be seen in non-human animals as well as humans it can be said to be an universal trait suggesting it Is an innate instinct, based on the principle of nature. These traits come from the process of natural selection and have evolutionary advantages. In order to survive infants need close proximity and a secure base. Therefore attachment increases chances of survival and animals help us understand how these behaviours can be applied to humans.
-Practical/real life applications –> Harlow’s research helped social workers understand risk and factors to child neglect and abuse.
limitations of animal attachment studies
unethical –> therefore cannot be replicated by modern day ethical guidelines
-Animals and humans have different physiologies so cannot be generalised.
what percentage of single parents are male
13.5%