Attachment Flashcards
What is attachment?
- the emotional bond between an infant and their caretaker
- it is stimulus dependent
- happens gradually over time
- occur within the critical period (6-8 months)
Who introduced the concept of attachment?
John Bowlby
What is the purpose of attachment?
increases the likelihood of surviving infancy
What are the different attachment styles?
- Secure
- Avoidant
- Anxious-Ambivalent
- Disorganized
Who proposed the concept of attachment styles?
Mary Ainsworth
What is secure attachment?
Secure attachment is when the child protests when mom is gone, calms quickly when she returns and explores confidently when she is present
What is avoidant attachment?
Avoidant attachment is when the the child explores confidently when the mother is present, but does not protest when she leaves and does not acknowledge her when she returns
What is anxious-ambivalent attachment?
Anxious-ambivalent attachment is when the child explores anxiously when the mother is present, protests when she leaves, but does not calm quickly when she returns
What is disorganized attachment?
Disorganized attachment is when the child expresses a fear response to their caretaker. They want to seek comfort from and avoid danger from the caretaker
How does attachment develop?
Attachment develops over time and is influenced by a variety of interacting factors such as the caretaker factor, the infant factor, and the socio-cultural factor
Caretaker Factors
More attentive and sensitive caretakers create a more secure attachment style in the infant
Infant Factors
If an infant has a very grumpy and irritable temperament the caretaker is more likely to take frequent breaks which can cause a more insecure attachment style in the infant
Socio-cultural Factors
Different child-rearing strategies can influence the style of attachment. For example, Germany encourages independence from a young age, and in Japan, the mother and child are rarely separated.
