attachment

Question 1

What is Attachment? A01

Answer 1

Attachment is the emotional bond that develops between an infant and their caregiver, which provides a sense of security and influences social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Types of Attachment:
1. Secure Attachment: Infants feel confident that their caregivers will meet their needs. 2. Insecure-Avoidant Attachment: Infants are indifferent to the caregiver’s presence or absence. 3. Insecure-Resistant Attachment: Infants are highly distressed when separated from the caregiver.

Question 2

What are the Applications of Attachment in Real-Life? A02

Answer 2

Children with a secure attachment style tend to develop strong social skills, feel comfortable exploring new environments, and develop positive relationships as they grow.
Insecure-Avoidant Attachment: Children may have difficulties forming close relationships. Insecure-Resistant Attachment: Children may exhibit clinginess and difficulty adapting to new situations.

Question 3

What are the Strengths and Limitations of the Strange Situation? A03

Answer 3

Ainsworth’s Strange Situation provides strong empirical evidence for the three attachment types, with clearly defined behaviors that can be observed in a controlled environment.

Limitations: The Strange Situation has been criticized for its artificial nature, reducing ecological validity.

Question 4

What is Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory? A01

Answer 4

Bowlby proposed that infants are born with an innate ability to form attachments, which are essential for survival. The primary attachment figure is of central importance.

Key Concepts: Critical Period: The first 2-3 years of life are crucial for forming secure attachments.

Question 5

What are the Applications of Bowlby’s Theory in Real-Life? A02

Answer 5

Children raised in environments where attachment is disrupted may develop maladaptive behaviors due to a lack of internal working models.
Bowlby’s theory helps explain why early intervention programs are crucial for emotional and social development.

Question 6

What are the Strengths and Limitations of Bowlby’s Theory? A03

Answer 6

Bowlby’s theory is supported by longitudinal studies showing the lasting impact of early attachments on later relationships.
Limitations: The Critical Period has been challenged, suggesting that attachment can still be formed later in childhood.

Question 7

What are Cultural Variations in Attachment? A01

Answer 7

Cultural variations refer to differences in the patterns of attachment observed in different cultures, influenced by cultural norms and practices.
Key Studies: Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg (1988) found variations in attachment styles across cultures.

Question 8

What are the Applications of Cultural Variations in Attachment? A02

Answer 8

In cultures like Japan, the emphasis on close-knit family relationships may lead to more insecure-resistant attachments.
In contrast, Western cultures may foster more independent behaviors, contributing to higher rates of insecure-avoidant attachment.

Question 9

What are the Strengths and Limitations of Cultural Variation Research? A03

Answer 9

The research by Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg highlights the cross-cultural universality of attachment patterns.
Limitations: The studies often suffer from ethnocentrism, as Western-based attachment theories may not apply universally.