Attachment Flashcards
What is reciprocity?
mothers and babies experience high pleasurable interactions a lot of the time together. Said to be shown when person responds to other and elicits their response from them
What is the alert phase during caregiver-infant interactions?
babies have periodic alert phases in which they signal they are ready for a spell of interaction (2/3 of mums respond but varies by skill and external factors)
Around how many months does a baby experience more alert phases?
3 months
What is active involvement?
both caregiver and baby can initiate interactions and appear to take turns like a ‘dance’ responding to the others moves
What is interactional synchrony?
‘the temporal coordination of micro level social behaviour’ (takes place when caregiver and babies emotions mirror each other)
Who observed synchrony in babies?
Meltzoff and Moore
When does synchrony begin?
as young as 2 weeks old
What did Meltzoff and Moore find when observing babies and synchrony?
Adults displayed one of three facial expressions/distinctive gestures. Babies response recorded by independent observer. Babies expressions/gestures were more likely to mirror adult as predicted
What did Isabella et al observer when it came to the importance of attachment?
observed 30 mothers and babies together and assessed degree of synchrony. Also quality of mother-baby attachment. Found high levels of synchrony associated with better mother-baby attachment
How does observing behaviour not tell us development importance for caregiver-infant interactions?
Feldman points out the idea like synchrony simply give names to pattern of observable behaviour. These are robust phenomena in the sense they can be reliably observed, but still they may not be particularly useful in understanding child development.
means we cannot be certain from observational research alone that reciprocity and synchrony is important to child development
What is the counter pint for ‘simply observing behaviour does not tell us it’s developmental importance’ for caregiver-infant interactions?
evidence from other lines of research to suggest that early interactions are important. Isabella et al found achievement of interactional synchrony predicted good quality attachment
means caregiver-infant interaction probably important
What was the extra evaluation for caregiver-infant interactions?
Rebecca Crowell et al found parent child interaction therapy improved synchrony in 10 minute sessions (practical ability) but socially sensitive as mothers returning to work can damage babies development
Why does filming in a laboratory act as a positive to caregiver-infant interactions?
means other activity can be controlled. Also using films means that observations can be recorded and analysed later. So it is unlikely that researchers will miss seeing key behaviours. Also filmed interactions means that more than one observer can record data and establish inter-rater reliability of observations. Also babies behaviour doesn’t change as don’t know they are being observed
Therefore data collected in such research should have good reliability and validity
Why was there difficulty observing babies during the caregiver-infant interactions observations?
young babies lacked coordination and mobility. Movements observed are just small hand movements or subtle changes in expression. Difficult to be sure what is babies perspective.
Means we cannot be certain that the behaviour seen in caregiver-infant interactions have a special meaning
What is stage 1 of schaffers stages?
asocial stage
When does the asocial stage occur in schaffers stages of attachment?
in first weeks
In the asocial stage what is the babies behaviour like in schaffers stages of attachment
behaviour towards humans and objects similar
Not entirely asocial as still prefer things
At this time babies form bonds forming basis of later attachment
What is stage 2 of Schaffers stages of attachment?
indiscriminate attachment
When does the indiscriminate attachment stage occur in schaffers stages of attachment
2-7 months
What is behaviour like in the indiscriminate stage in schaffers stages of attachment?
start to display clear preferences for people. Recognise and prefer company of familiar people. but still accept hugs and cuddles from anyone. Do not show separation anxiety or stranger anxiety
What was stage 3 of schaffers stages of attachment?
specific attachment
When does the specific attachment stage occur in schaffers stages of attachment?
around 7 months
What is behaviour like in the specific attachment stage in schaffers stages of attachment?
display signs of attachment to one person. Separation anxiety and stranger anxiety set in.
Said to have formed primary attachment figure being person who offers most skills and interaction being mother in 65% of cases
What percent does the mother become the primary attachment figure?
65%
In which of schaffers stages of attachment does separation anxiety and stranger anxiety set in?
stage 3 (specific attachment)
Who is typically the primary attachment figure?
person who offers most skills and interactions
What is stage 4 of schaffers stages of attachment?
multiple attachments
When does the multiple attachments stage occur in schaffers stages of attachment
shortly after showing attachments behaviour to one person
What is behaviour like in the multiple attachment stage in schaffers stages of attachment?
secondary attachments form with those who they spend lots of time around
When are babies typically developed according to schaffers stages of attachment?
1 year old
What was Schaffer and Emerson’s research based on?
based on stage theory on observational study of the formation of early infant-adult attachments
What was the procedure used by Schaffer and Emerson
involved 60 babies. Glasgow in skilled working class families. researchers visited every month for a year then after 18 months. Asked mothers questions about child’s protests. Designed to measure babies attachment also assessed stranger anxiety
What were the findings of Schaffer and Emerson’s research?
found four distinct stages in development of infant attachment theory
How does Schaffer and Emerson’s research have good external validity?
most of observations made by parents during ordinary events and reported to researchers. the alternative would have been to have researchers present to record observations. Might have distracted babies or made more anxious
Means it is highly likely that the participants behaved naturally when observed
What is the counter point for good external validity for Schaffer and Emerson’s research?
on other hand there has been issues with mothers being ‘observers’ as unlikely to be objective. Meaning they have have been biased in what they noticed and reported
Means even if babies behaved naturally behaviour may not have been accurately recorded
What was the extra evaluation for Schaffer’s stages of attachment?
generalisability due to large scale study with good design features but only looked at one sample with specific cultural and historical context so may not be generalisable
How does Schaffer’s stages of attachment have real world application?
in asocial and indiscriminate stages day care is likely to be straight forward as babies can be comforted by any skilled adult. however Schaffer and Emerson’s research tells us that day care may be problematic during specific attachment stages
means that parents use of day care can be planned using the stages proposed
How is there poor evidence for the asocial stage (Schaffer’s stages of attachment)
young babies have poor coordination and are fairly immobile. If babies less than 2 months old felt anxiety in everyday situation may not be subtle and is ‘hard to observe in ways’ Makes it difficult for mothers to observe and report back
means that babies may actually be quite social but appear to be asocial
What was Lorenz’s research around?
first observed when he was child with hatching ducks which would follow him around (imprinting)
What was the procedure did Lorenz’s use?
set up classic experiment where large clutch of goose eggs randomly divided. Half hatched with mother goose + natural environment, others in incubator with first moving object (Lorenz)
What was the findings by Lorenz’s research into imprinting?
whatever was the first moving object the hatchlings followed even when groups were mixed. Called imprinting where species mobile from birth follow first moving object they see. Lorenz identified critical period in which it needs to take place, if it doesn’t occur chick’s wouldn’t attach to mother figure
What is sexual imprinting (Lorenz’s)
later found birds which imprinted on humans would show courtship to them.
What was the research support for Lorenz’s research?
a study by Regolin and vallortigara supports chicks exposed to simple shape combination that moved then range of combination were then moved in front of them and they followed original most closely
Supports view that young animals born with innate mechanisms to imprint on a moving object present in critical window of development as predicted by Lorenz’s research
How is Lorenz’s research not generalisable to humans?
the mammalian attachment system more complex than birds. Mammalian attachment is two way process with not only baby to mother but also mother show emotional attachment to baby
Means probably not appropriate to generalise Lorenz’s ideas to humans
What was Harlow’s research about?
Importance of contact comfort - found new-borns kept in bare cage often died unless given something soft to cuddle
What was the procedure used in Harlow’s research?
soft objects serve some functions of a mother. 16 baby monkeys with two wire models ‘mothers’. In one condition milk dispensed by plain wire while second dispensed by cloth covered ‘mother’
What was the findings in Harlow’s research?
monkeys preferred cloth by cuddling and sought comfort from cloth when frightened regardless of which dispensed milk. Shows ‘contact comfort’ was more important than food when it came to attachment behaviour
How do maternally deprived monkeys act in Harlow’s research?
monkeys reared with plane wire mothers did not develop normal social behaviour. however even cloth didn’t develop normally. (more aggression, less sociable, unskilled in mating, neglect young)
When was the critical period for normal development according to Harlow’s research?
concluded mother needs to be introduced within 90 days, after time damage done and early deprivation becomes irreversible
How does Harlow’s research have real world value?
helped social workers and clinical psychologists understand that a lack of bonding experience may be risk factor in child development allowing them to intervene to prevent poor outcome. Also important of attachment figures in zoo programmes
Means value of Harlow’s research not just theoretical but also practical
What are the ethical issue s in Harlow’s research?
Harlow’s research caused server and long term distress to monkeys however findings and conclusions have important theoretical and practical applications
What makes Harlow’s research not able to generalise to humans?
Rhesus monkeys are more similar than birds as mammals share common attachment behaviours however human brain and behaviour still more complex
Means may not be appropriate to generalise to human behaviour
What is the application to human behaviour for Lorenz’s research?
although human style different from birds have been attempts to use imprinting to explain human behaviour. For example suggestions that human computer users exhibit ‘baby duck syndrome’ - attachment formed to first computer operating system leading to neglect others
What month did Schaffer and Emerson find babies attached to mothers mostly?
7 months
What percent of fathers were sole object of attachment?
3%
What percentage of fathers joined with mothers became first object of attachment?
27%
What percent of babies formed attachment to father in study by 18 months?
75% as seen with protests of baby when father walked away
What type of study did Grossman carry out?
longitudinal (studied babies attachment into teens)
How did Grossman carry out his longitudinal studies?
looked at both parents then quality of later attachments. Quality of attachment with mother not father suggesting less important
However also found quality of father-baby play related to quality of adolescence attachment. Suggests fathers have different role (one more to do with play and stimulation rather than emotional development)
What was seen when fathers primary attachment figures?
first specific attachment (primary attachment) and later attachments (secondary). babies relationship with first forms basis of all later relationships. Some evidence suggests father does not take on role of primary but rather adopts emotional role of mothers
What was the study carried out in order to look at fathers as the primary caregiver?
filmed 4 month old babies face to face interactions with primary caregiver mothers, primary fathers, secondary fathers. Primary fathers spent more time holding + imitating.
So fathers have potential to be emotional focused on primary attachment figures
What was the conflicting evidence for role of the father?
Longitudinal studies have suggested fathers as secondary have important role in child’s development, involving play and stimulation. However if important would expect single mother and lesbian families babies would develop differently. But studies consistently show they do not develop differently.
Means question on fathers importance remains unanswered.
What was the counter point for conflicting evidence into role of father?
these links of research may not in fact be conflict. It could be fathers typically take on distinctive roles in two parents heterosexual families but single mothers and lesbians and adapt to accommodate role played by father.
means role not clear at all when present fathers adopt distinctive roles but families can adapt without
What was the extra evaluation for role of the father?
pre conceptions about how fathers do or should behave can be created through stereotypes. Used in advertising. These stereotypes may cause unintentional observer bias where by observers ‘see’ what they expect to see rather than recording objective reality
What was the confusion over research question in role of father?
‘what is role of father’ is complicated. Some researchers attempting to answer question actually try to understand role as secondary attachment figure. But others concerned as primary. Former see fathers as behaving differently from mothers in distinctive role but latter see fathers as can take on maternal roles
Makes it difficult to offer simple answer to ‘role of father’ as depends on specific role discussed
What is the real world application of role of the father?
parents and prospective parents sometimes agonise over decisions like who should have primary caregiver role. creates pressure as mother may feel pressure to stay at work. In some families may not be economically suitable. Research into these roles can offer reassuring advice to parents suitable for all types of families
Means parental anxiety about role of father can be reduced
Who proposed the learning theory of attachment?
Dollard and Miller
What did Dollard and Miller propose for learning theory?
proposed caregiver-infant attachment can be explained by learning theory. Sometimes called ‘cupboard love’ as emphasises of importance of food in attachment figures
How does classical conditioning come into learning theory in attachment?
caregiver starts as neutral stimulus but when provides food over time they become associated. When baby expects food from person ns becomes conditioned stimulus. Once conditioning taken place caregiver produces conditioned response of pleasure (love)
How does operant conditioning come unto play with learning theory of attachment?
babies crying for comfort, crying leads to response from caregiver. As long as caregiver responds behaviour is reinforced (negative reinforcement). Baby then directs crying towards caregiver who responds with comforting ‘social suppressor’ behaviour
What does learning theory say about operant conditioning in attachment?
two way process. As baby is receiving positive reinforcement by receiving food while caregiver is negatively reinforced as crying taken away
What is the primary drive in learning theory of attachment?
hunger
What is the secondary drive in learning theory of attachment?
attachment by association between caregiver and satisfaction of primary drive
What concept/theory is learning theory of attachment based from?
drive reduction (primary and secondary drives)
How can some conditioning be involved in every day life within learning theory?
seems unlikely that association with food plays central role in attachment, conditioning may still play role. Example: baby may associate feeling warm and comfortable with particular adult, may influence babies choice of main attachment figure
means learning theory may still be useful in understanding development of attachments
What was the counter point for some conditioning being involved in learning theory of attachment?
both classical and operant conditioning explanation see baby as playing a relatively passive role in attachment development, simply responding to associations with comfort or reward. In fact babies take a very active role in interactions producing attachment
means that conditioning may not be an adequate explanation of any aspect of attachment
What was the extra evaluation for learning theory?
Hag and Uespo suggests that parents teach children to love them by demonstrating modelling attachments behaviour also reinforce loving behaviour by sharing approval when babies display own attachment behaviours. Social learning perspective has further advantage that it is based around two way interactions between baby and adult
How is there counter evidence from animal studies for learning theory?
Lorenz geese imprinted on first moving object regardless of food, also in Harlow’s no importance of food as monkey’s displayed affection towards soft surrogate ‘mother’ in preference of wire which dispensed milk
How is there counter evidence from human studies for learning theory?
Schaffer and Emerson found that babies tended to form their attachment to mothers regardless of whether she usually fed them. Isabel et al found high levels of interactional synchrony predicted the quality of attachment (not related to food).
Again suggesting food is not main factor in formation of human attachment
What did Schaffer say about food and babies?
‘babies eat to live not live to eat’ referring to the learning theories idea of hunger being primary drive and main reason for attachments to form
Why did Bowlby propose his monotropic theory?
Bowlby rejected learning theory because ‘were it true an infant of a year or two should readily take to who feeds him’ instead Looked at innate systems that give survival advantages (evolutionary theory)
What does monotropy mean and in the context of Bowlby’s theory?
lean towards one person of attachment
What is Bowlby’s monotropic theory ?
theory described as monotropic because he placed great emphasis on child’s attachment to one caregiver. More time spent with mother figure/primary attachment figure the better
What are the two principles within Bowlby’s monotropic theory?
law of continuity
Law of accumulated separation
What is Bowlby’s law of continuity?
states more constant and predictable child care, better quality of attachment
What is Bowlby’s law of accumulated separation?
stated effect from every separation adds up so 0 is the most wanted percent of separation
What are social releasers ( Bowlby’s )?
innate ‘cute’ behaviours to encourage adults to interact and attach
What is the critical/sensitive period ( Bowlby’s )
attachment is reciprocal process between caregiver and child. There is sensitive period up to 2 years especially within first 6 months during which attachment should form
What happens to a child if they do not form an attachment during the sensitive/critical period ( Bowlby’s )?
child may struggle with relationships later
What is the internal working model?
child develops mental model of relationships based on their primary caregiver. A loving, reliable caregiver fosters expectations of positive relationships in the future and vice versa with an abusive or neglectful caregiver
How does the internal working model ( Bowlby’s ) influence a child?
influences childs own parenting style, meaning attachment patterns often pass through generations
What is the support from the internal working model for Bowlby’s theory?
bailey et al assessed attachment relationships in 99 mothers and 1 year olds. Researchers measured mothers attachment to own primary attachment figures. Researchers also assessed attachment quality of babies. Found mothers with poor attachment to parents also more likely to have poor attachment
supports Bowlby’s idea that mother ability to form attachments to their own babies is influenced by internal working model
What is the counter point for support from the internal working model for Bowlby’s theory?
there are probably other important influences on social development. Example: psychologists believe that genetic differences om anxiety and social ability affect social behaviours in both babies and adults. Differences could also impact parenting ability
means Bowlby may have overstated the importance of internal working model in social behaviour and parenting
What is the extra evaluation for Bowlby’s theory?
laws of continuity and accumulated separation suggests that mothers who work may negatively affect child’s emotional development. Burnman suggests this puts blame on mothers for child’s future and to restrict mothers returning to work. On the other hand prior to Bowlby’s time people viewed role of mother as unimportant, also Bowlby ideas have many real world applications such as care workers in day care who build attachment to particular babies
Who and how was the idea of monotropy challenged ( Bowlby’s )?
Schaffer and Emerson found that almost every baby attached to one but minority formed multiple attachments at same time. Although first attachment strong on later behaviour doesn’t necessarily differ in quality from the childs other attachments. Other attachments to family memebers provide all same qualities
means that Bowlby may be incorrect that there is a unique quality and importance to child’s primary attachment
What was the support for social releasers ( Bowlby’s )?
clear evidence that cute baby behaviours are designed to elicit interactions from caregivers. Brazelton et al observed babies trigger interactions with adults using social releasers. The researchers then instructed that babies primary attachment figures to ignore babies. babies became increasingly more distressed and some eventually curled up and became motionless.
Illustrates the role of social releasers in emotional development and suggests that they are important in the process of attachment development
