Attachment Flashcards

Question

What did Bowlby’s concept of monotropy suggest for fathers ?

Answer 1

Babies needed constant care of the mother for healthy social development. fathers should provide an economic function rather than an emotional one. However, there is increasing recognition for the role of the father (ONS reporting that there has been an increase in mothers with dependent children in work + cultural expectations changing in the West and expect fathers to play a bigger part).

Answer 2

There was little connection between the amount of time spent with the child and attachment. The interaction itself may be more important. Fathers are also preferred when children are happy and want stimulation, yet mothers are preferred when they are distressed and seek comfort. Children who have secure relationships with their fathers do better on every measure of child development

Answer 3

Some cultures with this means the role of the father is affected as it’s seen as feminine to be sensitive to a child’s needs and encourages masculine behaviour.

Answer 4

Some explanations see the father as less psychologically equipped to form close bonds, unlike the mother. This is due to them lacking the emotional sensitivity required, which Bowlby said was more important that the time spent with the child. Women produce oestrogen (promotes caring behaviour + sensitivity) while males don’t.

Answer 5

The role of the father is seen more as a playmate to encourage physical activity, challenging situations, problem solving, through placing cognitive demands on the child.

Answer 6

1. More secure attachments were apparent in fathers who are sensitive to their child’s needs. 2. The type of attachments father had with their own parents leads to a similar attachment with their children. 3. Level of intimacy mother and father shows and level of support the father gives in co parenting.

Answer 7

2004 Fathers are more likely to establish a risk taking behaviour in their children than mothers as they encourage more physical play.

Answer 8

This is not because fathers are not as capable as mothers, but they are not given the chance to develop these skills.

Answer 9

Field filmed 4 month old babies in face. to - face interactions with primary caregivers (mothers), secondary caregivers (fathers) and primary caregivers (fathers). They found that primary caregiver fathers , like mothers, spent more time smiling, imitating infants than secondary caregiver fathers. This behaviour is important in the building of attachments. It suggests that fathers are as capable as mothers of being a sensitive primary caregiver. It is the level of responsiveness, and not the parents’ gender, that is important.

Answer 10

there have been inconsistent findings: psychologists cant easily answer the question on what is the role the father. firm conclusions cannot be drawn. researchers are interested in different questions. some are interested in understanding the role fathers have as secondary attachment figures ( fathers have a distinct role ) whilst others see the father's role as a primary attachment figure ( fathers can take on a maternal role )

Answer 11

some research can have serious positive/negative implications for all parents. research showing differences between mothers and fathers can have negative effects. Bowlby’s monotropic concept has led to the idea that mothers should stay home. 1994 : Erica Burman and other feminists state it places a huge burden of responsibility on mothers. It blames mothers if anything goes wrong in the child’s life. It is partially responsible for the stigma full time fathers often face.

Answer 12

Hardy (1999) found supporting evidence which suggested fathers were less likely than mothers to detect low levels of emotional distress. However, Lamb’s evidence found fathers who became the main care providers able to quickly adapt adapt and develop greater sensitivity to the child’s needs, This suggests that sensitivity and responsiveness to the child is not a biological ability limited to women. the father’s role may be due to environmental factors.

Answer 13

Weakness : higher levels of aggression and poor academic performance could be argued to be down to social economic standing and not the absence of fathers, leading to more problematic behaviours. Many studies have been based on correlational research and so we can’t infer cause and effect between the father’s relationship and problematic behaviour observed in children. It may be that other variables affect their developments (being bullied for not having a father rather than the lack of relationship itself)

Answer 14

These are attachments to multiple people. Research has shown that babies can form multiple attachments once they have formed a specific attachment to their main caregiver.

Answer 15

29% of infants develop multiple attachments within a month of developing specific attachments (by 40 weeks). 78% of children have multiple attachments by the age of 1. 33% out of the 78% have 5 or more attachments by the age of 1.

Answer 16

He believes that a child had to go through the other 3 stages to reach the multiple attachment stage. This is the last stage from 9 months onwards.

Answer 17

His idea of monotropy : babies have 1 key attachment figure (usually mother) Secondary attachments come next (father/siblings) but these multiple attachments are not as important as the primary one.

Answer 18

Schaffer + Bowlby believe this occurs after a baby forms a specific attachment. However, some psychologists believe that in some cultures, multiple attachments occur from the outset and not as late as 9 months. Suggests that the timing of Schaffer’s stages is incorrect or the stages can’t be generalised to all cultures. It may be that the timing of these attachments differ in cultures.

Answer 19

Bowlby believed these weren’t as important as primary ones. However, Rutter (1995) saw all attachments being equal, so he believed that primary + secondary attachments didn’t exist. All of these attachments give the child an idea of how relationships work (IWM), and are of equal importance.

Answer 20

Sagi et al (1994) looked at infants raised in a kibbutz with multiple caregivers but family-based sleeping arrangements. They found strong attachment to the mother, with 80% securely attached and no avoidant attachment. Findings align with Rutter’s belief that all attachments are equally important. Suggests that multiple attachments may strengthen primary attachments. Parents can work without harming children's emotional development. Positive economic implications for families and the economy.

Answer 21

1. Lorenz (1935) 2. Harlow (1959) Ethnologists conducted animal studies (early 20th century) to understand human mother-infant attachments.

Answer 22

To investigate the mechanisms of imprinting, where bird species mobile from birth to form attachments to the first moving object they see.

Answer 23

He split a clutch of grey lag goose eggs into 2 batches: 1. Naturally hatched by mother 2. In an incubator with Lorenz as the object He recorded their behaviour. He marked the gooslings and placed them under an upturned box, then removed it and recorded their behaviour.

Answer 24

The incubator group followed Lorenz everywhere. The control group followed their mother, even when both groups were mixed. There was a critical period (4-25 hrs depending on the species) and if imprinting didn’t occur, the chicks didn’t attach to a mother figure. He subsequently reported that the gooslings imprinting on humans would later try to mate with them.

Answer 25

To determine whether food or close comfort was the important factor in attachment.

Answer 26

He placed 19 baby rhesus monkeys in cages with 2 surrogate mothers : one harsh wire mother, one soft towelling mother. 4/16 monkeys were used in each of the 4 conditions. The amount of time spent with each mother + feeding time was recorded. Monkeys were frightened with a loud noise to test for mother preference during stress. Large case was used for testing and degree of exploration.

Answer 27

1. Wire mother produced milk, towel mother no milk 2. Wire mother no milk, towel mother produces milk 3. Wire mother produces milk 4. Towel mother produces milk

Answer 28

When given the choice, monkeys preferred the towel mother (regardless of whether she produced milk). Monkeys stretched across the wire mother to feed whilst clinging onto the towel mother. Monkeys with only wire mother showed stress + had diarrhoea. When frightened by the noise, monkeys clung onto the towelling mother. In large case conditions, monkeys with the towel mother explored more + visited their mother more often.

Answer 29

Monkeys in some of the experiments were followed in adulthood. Severe consequences were found : - more aggressive - unskilled at mating - less sociable As mothers, some of them neglected their young + attacked them (almost killing them in some cases).

Answer 30

May be less appropriate to generalise Lorenz’s findings as the attachment system of birds is less complex and less emotion is involved than of mammals. Harlow’s monkeys are more similar to humans than geese are. Green (1994) states that on a biological level, mammals have the same brain structure as humans. The only differences are the size and number of connections, making it easier to generalise. However, neither sample are human, so it is argued that we cannot generalise either to human attachments.

Answer 31

Findings have still been useful to understanding human attachment. Lorenz’s idea of a critical period influenced Bowlby’s research. It led to the idea that human infants need to attach by the age of 2 (or there would be serious long term consequences). Harlow’s research showed the effects of neglecting infants and potential long term consequences of poor attachment in childhood for future relationships. This influenced Bowlby’s IWM.

Answer 32

S+E found that infants were not attached to those that fed them, but those who were more sensitive to their needs. This has links to the cloth mother as it provided contact comfort + sensitivity to the monkey’s needs during distress.

Answer 33

Increases the reliability of Lorenz’s study. Guiton showed how leghorn chicks would become attached to yellow rubber gloves when used to feed them. This shows how imprinting not only occurs with living objects, but any objects that are moving within the critical period (2 days). The chicks would also try to mate with gloves later on in life.

Answer 34

The use of animals in research can be questioned on ethical grounds. Could be argued that animals have a right to not be researched on. The pursuit of academic conclusions for human benefits can be seen as detrimental to non human species. However, it wouldn’t be possible to carry the research on human infants and the findings have already been useful (real life applications). This means we have to think about a cost benefit analysis of the harm caused to the monkeys versus the benefit to our understanding of human attachment.

Answer 35

1. Learning theory (nurture) 2. Bowlby ‘s monotropic theory (nature)

Answer 36

A behavioural explanation. Focuses solely on behaviour : what people do instead of what they think. Behaviourists consider all behaviour, so attachment can be explained using classical and operant conditioning.

Answer 37

1. Classical conditioning 2. Operant conditioning

Answer 38

Based on Harlow and Lorenz’s work. An evolutionary explanation of attachment. Attachment is an innate system that is biologically programmed into babies from birth.

Answer 39

Learning through association. Food (uncontrolled stimulus) naturally produces a sense of pleasure in a child (unconditioned response). The person who feeds the child initially (neutral stimulus) provides no natural response. However, over time, the ‘feeder’ provides the pleasure associated with food. Pleasure now becomes a conditioned response. The ‘feeder’ is now the conditioned stimulus. This association between an individual and a sense of pleasure is the attachment bond.

Answer 40

All humans have primary motives (e.g., hunger). Stimuli that satisfy these drives are primary reinforcers. A baby's primary drive is hunger, leading them to seek food to reduce this discomfort. The caregiver provides food, satisfying the baby's hunger, and becomes a primary reinforcer. As the caregiver consistently provides food, they become a secondary reinforcer, and the baby forms an attachment to them. The baby learns that crying gets the caregiver’s attention and food, reinforcing attachment behaviours like separation distress. The caregiver is conditioned. The infant’s crying is negatively reinforced by the caregiver feeding them to stop the distress. The caregiver is positively reinforced when the baby smiles after being fed. This reinforcement strengthens the caregiver-infant bond.

Answer 41

infants have 1 special emotional bond (biological mother usually). this relationship is more important than any others. he believed that the more time spent with the primary attachment figure, the better.

Answer 42

Cr. I. I. M. P. S. Critical period Innate programming Internal working model Monotropy Proximity Social releasers

Answer 43

they mimic other people’s behaviour

Answer 44

A.S.C.M.I adaptive social releasers critical period monotropy internal working model

Answer 45

They give our species an adaptive advantage, making us more likely to survive. this is because if an infant has an attachment to a caregiver, they are kept safe/warm + given food.

Answer 46

1. The law of continuity 2. The law of accumulated separation

Answer 47

The more constant/predictable a child’s care, the better quality of their attachment.

Answer 48

The effects of separation from every mother add up ‘and the safest dose is therefore a zero dose’

Answer 49

Babies want proximity to their mothers for safety as it protects them from harm. Security + secure attachment = survival

Answer 50

They are important for the development of the parent- infant attach,ent as they show caregiving from the parent. Their purpose is the activate the adult attachment system. Attachment was seen as a reciprocal process, both mother and baby have an innate predisposition to become attached. They are innate mechanisms, so natural behaviour from babies include : - baby’s cuteness - crying - smiling These encourage attention from adults

Answer 51

Bowlby believed that if monotropic attachments had not occurred by the age of 2, then the child will find it difficult forming attachments later on in life. This is also known as the ‘sensitive period’ which starts from the 3-4 month mark. He believed that this should end at 3-4 years of age.

Answer 52

This is a mental representation a child forms of their relationship with the primary caregiver. It has a strong impact on the child’s future relationships as it creates a perception of what they will be like, how they should behave, and their ability to be a parent.

Answer 53

People who are strongly attached as children continue to be social and emotionally competent in relationships, yet infants with poor attachments have more social and emotional difficulties in childhood and adulthood.

Answer 54

Formed in infancy and are mostly influenced by the behaviour of close others. Bowlby believed that the most important person in the formation of the model is the primary caregiver. It is that relationships that’s used as a template for future relationships.

Answer 55

There is unanimous agreement that the model exists, but disagreements as to if it is consistent or not. The term ‘working’ suggests that these models develop over time, and the revisionist perspective believes it to be the case. However, Bowlby and the prototype perspective think infants typically develop stable IWM and that they stay stable, because if they changed over time, children will be confused as to their social world.

Answer 56

The IWM is revised and updated due to real life experiences.

Answer 57

Ethnologists (those who study animal behaviour). E.g. Lorenz : there was a critical period of 4-25 hours that imprinting could only occur within.

Answer 58

It is believed that it is more appropriate to use the word sensitive period. So, although imprinting is less likely to occur outside of a given time period, it can occur at other times

Answer 59

Bystrova (2009) compared the effects of skin to skin contact for 25-120 minutes after birth, early suckling and those infants who were initially separated from their mothers. One year later, mother infant interactions were better in the skin to skin group than the separation group, suggesting there is a very early critical/sensitive period.

Answer 60

Rutter (1998) found that late adoptees (24 to 48 months) although showing signs of recovery from their ordeal showed, had greater difficulty in achieving good social and cognitive development than early adoptees (6 to 24 months), and late adoptees were more likely to suffer disinhibited attachment. One reason for this difference could be that the late adoptees missed forming attachments during the critical period (before 2 years) and this could account for their social + attachment issues.

Answer 61

Harlow contradicts the learning theory. Learning theory would have predicted that monkeys attach to the person who fed them and so spend most of the time with them. However, the study showed that Harlow’s monkeys preferred the comfort monkey who gave no food. So, food is not the key to attachment, but comfort instead. Other animal studies have shown the same idea. Lorenz’s geese imprinted before they were fed, and maintained attachments regardless of who fed them.

Answer 62

It is too simplistic to say that something as complex as human attachment is learnt through a stimulus response or by reinforcement. This ignored the importance of interactional synchrony in attachment formation. Research by Isabella suggests that this sensitivity of the caregiver is crucial and directly links to the quality of attachment. If attachment was only about food, then there would be no need for these complex interactions. There is an incomplete explanation as it does not explain all aspects of attachment. It lacks external validity + environmental reductionism. In some extended families in the Democratic republic of the Congo, women look after other people’s babies yet they still prefer their mothers at 6 months.

Answer 63

It explains how, but not why attachments occur, while Bowlby’s monotropic theory provides a more holistic view. Bowlby argued the advantages centered around protection and survival which is more in line with our understanding of evolution.

Answer 64

They found evidence to support the theory through studying 60 babies in 18 months. After 4 months, preferences started to develop with a special attachment from 7 months onwards and separation anxiety when away from primary caregivers. This showed attachment was more likely to form with those who were most sensitive and responsive to the child’s needs through feeding and attention as it would be rewarding for them.

Answer 65

Harlow’s study supports many concepts of the theory. 1. Innate programming : instinctively went to the cloth mother (didn’t learn this) 2. Monotropy : spent 22/24 hours of the day with the cloth mother, only leaving to feed. 3. Proximity : in a variation, when monkeys saw a scary robot they were distressed and ran to the cloth mother for safety. 4. IWM : some monkeys found it hard to mate and those who became mothers were bad mothers as they didn’t have real mothers.

Answer 66

Concept suggests father cant play the role of primary caregiver as Bowlby suggested that it’s the mother/female substitue. This contradicts the research. This has caused stigma + sexism that many males who play the role of a full time parent have to face over 50 years since the theory. Theory is also socially sensitive for mothers (evaluation under role of father)

Answer 67

Baby monkeys who were raised only with their mothers for the 1st 6 months showed no desire in engaging with their peers, showing the crucial sensitive period.

Answer 68

They disprove the theory of a time sensitive period to form attachments. The boys were raised in isolation beyond the sensitive period and once rescued, they showed no signs of abnormality at 14 when re-examined. They had close relationships with their mothers. They lived normal lives into adulthood + had stable relationships. This shows the importance of nurture. This has real world applications : children in foster care can live normal lives with the right support. However, it is argued that the twins always had each other to form attachments to. Therefore, it is difficult to generalise the results as they may lack internal validity.

Answer 69

a 2 way, enduring, emotional and reciprocal bond between two people, especially an infant and caregiver. Following behaviours are displayed : 1. Seeking proximity (especially at times of stress) 2. Distress on separation + pleasure when reunited 3. Secure base behaviour

Answer 70

Both theories over emphasise the importance of nature and nurture. Bowlby’s theory believes that attachment is innate and a baby had a biological drive to survive. However, the learning theory is due to environmental factors (learning through association + reinforcement) Explaining how attachments form is a complex process and is too simplistic to look at nature or nurture. In order to best explain attachments, an interactionalist approach should be used. A baby first learns to associate food with its mother, but it’s a biological drive to survive + seek food that allows a baby to do so. It is innate social releasers that condition a mother to attach to her child.

Answer 71

1. There are differences in how to explain the findings of Harlow’s study which support monotropic theory but contradicts learning theory. 2. Learning theory is too simplistic (reductionism) and Bowlby’s theory can explain what learning theory can’t, so it allows us to explain some of the more complex aspects of attachments. E.g. interactional synchrony 3. They differ in how they view attachment (nature vs nurture over emphasis). The best way is to have a combination of both (interactionalist approach)

Answer 72

To assess how securely attached infants between 12-18 months were to their caregiver.

Answer 73

1. Secure 2. Insecure avoidant 3. Insecure resistant (ambivalent)

Answer 74

Strong attachment of an infant to their caregiver, which develops due to sensitive responding by the caregiver to the infant’s needs. These infants are comfortable with social interactions and intimacy. This attachment is related to subsequent healthy cognitive and emotional development. Shows some anxiety when caregiver leaves, but easily soothed when reunited.

Answer 75

Develops due to the caregiver’s lack of sensitive responding to the child’s needs. It’s associated with poor subsequent cognitive and emotional development.

Answer 76

Describes infants that both seek and reject intimacy and social interactions. They may not be easily consoled and explore the room less than other children.

Answer 77

Described children who avoid social interactions and intimacy with others. Shows indifference at the caregiver leaving the room and don’t show anxiety. Show frustration a their attachment needs not being met.

Answer 78

Ainsworth and Bell 1970

Answer 79

To produce a method for assessing the security of an infant’s attachment by placing them in a mildly stressful situation and observing their attachment behaviours that result.

Answer 80

Took place in a lab. The original participants were 106 American infants (12-18 months) and their caregiver (usually mother). The 3rd person was a stranger (same stranger used each time). The procedure lasted for 20 mins. The infants’ behaviour was closely observed to assess the infant’s levels of exploring, playing, and distress behaviours at separation and reunion with the caregiver and when left with the stranger. If the infant became severely distressed, the stage was shortened.

Answer 81

30 seconds People : caregiver, infant, researcher Researcher brings caregiver into room then leaves

Answer 82

3 mins People : caregiver, infant Caregiver sits, infant free to explore room

Answer 83

3 mins People : caregiver , infant, stranger Stranger enters room, after a while talks to caregiver and then to the child, then caregiver leaves.

Answer 84

3 mins People : infant , stranger Stranger keeps trying to talk and play with infant

Answer 85

3 mins People : infant , caregiver Stranger leaves as caregiver returns. At the end of the stage, caregiver leaves

Answer 86

3 mins People : infant Infant alone in room

Answer 87

3 mins People : infant and stranger Stranger returns and tries to interact with infant

Answer 88

3 mins People : caregiver and infant Caregiver returns and interacts with infant, the stranger leaves.

Answer 89

66% Harmonious and cooperative relationship High willingness to explore (using caregiver as a safe base) High stranger anxiety Enthusiastic on reunion with caregiver Some separation anxiety, but may be soothed

Answer 90

22% Avoid social interaction and intimacy with others Treats caregivers+strangers similarly High willingness to explore (independent from caregiver) Low stranger + separation anxiety Avoid contact on reunion with caregiver

Answer 91

12% Seek and reject intimacy and social interactions Low willingness to explore High stranger + separation anxiety (very distressed) Seeks and rejects reunion with caregiver (seeks proximity in other ways)

Answer 92

It’s a controlled way of measuring individual differences in attachment behaviour. Secure attachment is a preferred type of attachment in North America.

Answer 93

Criticisms arise as children were put through stressful situations as they were intentionally emotionally harmed. 20% of children cried desperately at one point, showing how it’s ethically inappropriate to deliberately cause emotional harm which goes against psychological ethical guidelines.

Answer 94

Strength as the study is highly controlled with standardised procedures and clear behavioural categories. Different observers watching the same children in the study agreed on what attachment types to place infants as. Bick (2012) found the inter rater reliability to be 94%. Therefore, the study is reliable and the findings of the infant’s attachment type don’t just depend on who is observing them. Numerous studies have reported similar findings (easily replicated)

Answer 95

The controlled nature of attachment studies has led to questions about validity. Artificial Setting: Mothers and children are in an unfamiliar playroom, and mothers know they are being observed, which can distort behaviour (demand characteristics). Sensitivity Bias: Mothers may act more sensitively than usual, affecting results and questioning ecological validity. However, Vaughn and Waters (1990) did a comparison. They studied 1-year-olds in both the Strange Situation and at home. Securely attached children were more sociable at home but still securely attached. Insecurely attached children showed only minor differences. These results suggest the findings of the Strange Situation are ecologically valid.

Answer 96

The stranger situation It’s used by all researchers worldwide.

Answer 97

There may be culture bias. It was development in the USA on American infants so many not be valid to use it to study attachment types in other cultures where children and caregivers may respond differently to the strange situation. Attachment behaviours regarded as healthy in the USA may not be so regarded. Takahasi found that the study doesn’t work on Japanese children as mothers are so rarely separated from their children, so they show high levels of separation anxiety (resistant). German children are encouraged to be independent so may appear to show avoidant attachment. It is a valid test of attachment in cultures that have similar child rearing practices to American infants. In cultures not similar, incorrect conclusions about child rearing may be drawn.

Answer 98

To see if attachment is due to : 1. Nature = innate/biological (very similar attach,ent behaviours would be found worldwide) 2. Nurture = dependent on cultural expectations (large differences from culture to culture)

Answer 99

Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg 1988

Answer 100

A meta analysis was carried out on the results of 32 studies that used the strange situation to measure attachment behaviour. Research from 8 different countries was used, including : - non western cultures (Japan, China) - western cultures (USA,UK,Germany) The study yielded results for 1990 children.

Answer 101

Secure attachment was the most common in all notions. In western cultures, the dominant style of insecure attachment found was avoidant. In non western cultures, the dominant style of insecure attachment found was resistant. Variation within cultures was 1 1/2 greater than between cultures, so they found more differences in attachment styles and behaviours within a single country. Germany most avoidant Japan most resistant

Answer 102

Secure being the most common suggests there may be universal characteristics (potentially innate) in infant-caregiver interactions. The variations in insecure attachment worldwide suggests that in this case, culture must play a part. The findings show that it’s wrong to think of any culture as using exactly the same child rearing practices. The idea that there is a single culture is oversimplified and there are several sub cultures within larger countries that differ in language and customs.

Answer 103

They found similar findings for American infants : 71% secure 12% resistant 17% avoidant 49% avoidant (Germany) 0% avoidant (Japan)

Answer 104

Rothbaum explored how American and Japanese mothers regard mother-child attachment and there were some important differences mothers were asked how they would interpret it if their child called for them during nap time : - American mothers = saw this as negative behaviour - Japanese mothers = saw this as positive + a sign of secure attachment

Answer 105

Dominant attachment style was secure for all countries studied, so many evidence for his theory that there is a biological + innate drive to parent in a way that produces secure attachments.

Answer 106

Weakness of the meta analysis. 27/32 studies were carried out in Western cultures, with only 1 in China and 2 in Japan, and there were no studies in any African countries. Mesman et al found that the Gusii in rural Kenya expressed sensitive responding to their children more in physical ways than verbal (typically found in the USA). The study isn’t a true cross cultural study. This needs to be taken into consideration when making conclusions from the findings.

Answer 107

Most of the research uses the strange situation to measure attachment. This is an example of ethnocentric research as it was designed in America. As demonstrated by Rothbaum’s research, the USA doesn’t value over dependency on the caregiver (insecure resistant). This means the findings lack external validity (and Sagi’s) .

Answer 108

Uses the strange situation which has been found to have high inter rater reliability (Bick’s 94%) It is a highly standardised procedure with carefully controlled conditions that are easy to replicate. As it was a meta analysis, they may not be exact replications, but due to the high reliability, it means we can be confident that the attachment type of the infants would stay the same.

Answer 109

When a bond that has been formed with the mother is broken for a long period of time. The loss of emotional care that would normally be provided by the primary caregiver.

Answer 110

Breaking the maternal bond during the early years of the child’s life is likely to have big impacts (e.g. social) If the separation occurs before the age of 2 1/2 (during the critical period), without a substitute, the effects on the child’s well-being are severe. The child is at risk of deprivation up to 5 years old. Bowlby believed the effects were permanent and irreversible.

Answer 111

1. Intellectual : risk of a low IQ (+ may struggle academically) 2. Emotional : risk of behavioural disorders so may get in trouble and be hard to control. 3. IWM : they would have trouble forming relationships later on + trouble being a good parent 4. affectionless psychopathy : a particular behavioural disorder mentioned by Bowlby when a child shows no remorse/guilt over their behaviour (e.g. stealing)

Answer 112

Goldfarb (1947) found lower IQ in children who had remained in institutions compared to those who were fostered (they had a higher standard of emotional care).

Answer 113

His own study of the 44 thieves (1944)

Answer 114

He studied 88 children (aged 5-16) in the child guidance clinic. 44 were referred for stealing. 44 others were in a control group and referee for other types of behaviour. He interviewed the children and family to build a record of their early life experiences.

Answer 115

From the 44 referred for stealing , 16 were diagnosed by Bowlby as affectionless psychopaths. From the 44 in the control group, none of them were diagnosed as affectionless psychopaths. 86% of the 16 had experienced early + prolonged separation from their mothers. 4% of the control group had suffered early + prolonged separation from their mothers.

Answer 116

The separation had caused affectionless psychopathy - shameless and conscienceless. Bowlby viewed this as a causal link for causing later emotional difficulties, and therefore, this was the basis for his theory.

Answer 117

Bowlby used this research to support his hypothesis. They visited several orphanages + other institutions in South America. Children there received very little warmth + attention from staff. They had become apathetic (show little interest/concern). Many suffered from anaclitic depression (resigned helplessness + loss of appetite). This was linked to their lack of emotional care + long term disruption of attachment from their mothers.

Answer 118

The 44 thieves study is correlational as deprivation and delinquency (minor crime) could be linked to a 3rd factor. Children who experience deprivation may also experience extreme poverty, have contact with criminal relatives (who act as role models), or have a family history of mental health problems.

Answer 119

Bowlby + Robertson’s work has caused significant real world applications. They have had a huge impact on child rearing + led to social change in the way children were cared for in hospitals. Before the research, parents were discouraged from visiting children in hospitals, but Robertson’s work showed how distressed the children became. Now, children’s wards have spaces for parents to sleep in. The research has caused changes in family lives, increasing the usefulness of the theory.

Answer 120

Research by Hilda Lewis challenges Bowlby’s findings of his theory + hypothesis. Lewis partially replicated the 44 thieves study on a much larger scale, looking at 500 young people. In her sample, a history of prolonged separation from the mother didn’t predict criminality or trouble forming relationships like Bowlby’s theory claimed. She found other factors that may be the cause. This weakens support for the theory as it suggests that other factors (e.g. the mother’s emotional instability) may be more of the cause of behavioural + emotional problems than deprivation.

Answer 121

Rutter claimed that Bowlby was confusing deprivation and privation (whether the attachment was formed initially). He claims Bowlby never made a distinction between the 2 and never made it clear whether the child’s attachment bond was even there to begin with. Many of the children had experienced several changes of home/caregiver during their early childhood, leading Rutter to believe that their later problems were the results of privation, not deprivation (as was the case in Spitz’s research). The severe long term damage that Bowlby associated with deprivation was much more likely to be the result of privation, especially when there is good substitute care. This questions the validity of his whole hypothesis.

Answer 122

Living arrangements outside the family home that result in child adopting rules of the institution that can impair functioning, leading to loss of personal identity, deindividuation. E.g. can occur at child’s homes, orphanages, hostels, hospitals…

Answer 123

Children had so many changes of careers in institutions that it was impossible for them to form any attachments. If the children had been in the institutions since they were babies, privation may occur where the child hadn’t formed any attachment at all.

Answer 124

ERA (English + Romanian Adoptee) study by Rutter (1998)

Answer 125

165 Romanian children (adopted before the age of 3 and 1/2) by UK families were assessed on a variety of measures of physical, intellectual, and cognitive functioning abilities at ages 4,6,11,15 and beyond. A control group of 52 British adopted children who had not experienced deprivation were also assessed to ascertain whether negative effects were due to desperation from careers or the institutional conditions of the Romanian orphanages.

Answer 126

1. Physical development 2. Emotional development 3. Cognitive development

Answer 127

On arrival into the UK, this was poor. 51% of children being in the bottom 3% of the population for weight. They were also shorter in height than normal for their age. However, the catchup of these physical effects were nearly completed by the age of 4, especially for those adopted before 6 months. However, these physical effects on the brain were more long lasting for those adopted later.

Answer 128

By 6 years, many of the children showed signs of disinhibited attachment. At 11 years, this was displayed by 50% of children. Rates of recovery were higher for those adopted before 6 months.

Answer 129

Recovery rates were affected by how long they stayed in the institutions. At 11 years, the mean IQ for those adopted before 6 months was 102. A proportion of the children adopted after 6 months showed difficulties not experienced by the British adoptees: - social functioning issues - ADHD like qualifies (e.g. inattention, poor mental functioning)

Answer 130

Yes, all the orphans did improve + reasonable recovery occurred given good subsequent care.

Answer 131

They identified 4 patterns associated with institutional deprivation that occurred by the age of 6 and were still present several years later in the minority of children, but many previously institutionalised children did show one or more several years after adoption: 1. Quasi autism (social + communication problems) 2. Disinhibited attachment (lack of wariness of strangers) 3. Cognitive impairment (low IQ + negative effects on cognition) 4. Inattention/overactivity (problems with concentration) These were also found by the ERA study, so the findings are reliable.

Answer 132

You can see the effects on participants throughout their lives, and this is true for the ERA study.

Answer 133

As part of the ERA project, took MRI scans of 67/165 orphans and 21/52 British adoptees (who hadn’t suffered institutionalisation) all aged 23-28 years (over 20 years after the project began)

Answer 134

1. The brains of young adult Romanian adoptees were 8.6% smaller than the brains of English adoptees. 2. The longer time the Romanian adoptees spent in the institutions, the smaller the total brain volume. Each additional month associated with a 0.27% reduction in total brain volume. 3. Deprivation related to changes in brain volume were associated with lower IQ + ADHD symptoms.

Answer 135

The human brain changes as a result of experience

Answer 136

Specific parts of the brain are responsible for specific behaviours. E.g. speech production in frontal lobe.

Answer 137

One of the major criticisms of the studies as it focuses on children from different countries. Romanian orphans were in a country with a poorer education system + healthcare. This could be argued to be the main contributing factor for under- resourced institutions having children who struggle physically and mentally (not the institutionalisation itself) when compared to Western institutions which have greater resources for orphans.

Answer 138

The findings of the studies have been valuable in practical terms. They have led to improvements in the way children were cared for in institutions. The children are now assigned a key worker and have 1 or 2 caregivers responsible for the, so that the children have a chance to develop normal attachments (avoiding disinhibited attachment). This increases the support for the research as it enhances our understanding of the negative effects of the institutionalisation + has shown practical ways to improve children in institutions’ lives forever.

Answer 139

The ERA project was a multi method investigation. It has expertly followed the adoptees for the past 24 years, with research still being carried out now. Therefore, we can see the real life + long term effects of institutionalisation. It highlighted that a minority of those adopted after 6 months will continue to experience significant problems. The MRI scans of the organs + the control group into adulthood has allowed researchers to see the neuro-biological impact on the children adopted after 6 months. The study was highly scientific, reliable (similar findings in all studies).

Answer 140

As it was a natural experiment, extraneous variables occurred so it’s hard to establish cause + effect. Rutter couldn’t randomly allocate the children to conditions, so couldn’t decide who was adopted earlier or later. He acknowledged that the quality of care that children received and the level of privation were hard to assess. Some children coped better than others (some received special attention in orphanages if they smiled more). This lack of control of extraneous variables weakens conclusions. But later brain scans (2020) showed extraneous variables didn’t affect conclusions.

Answer 141

It creates consistency between early emotional experiences from the primary attachment figure and later relationships. It teaches a child what relationships are like and how people behave within them.

Answer 142

1. Prototype perspective 2. Revisionist perspective

Answer 143

The IWM is updated as a result of life experiences. Adult working models differ from infant ones. Allows for changes in the pattern of relationships that a person may have through their lives.

Answer 144

Secure children have better friendships and are the least likely to be bullied/to bully. Belsky research + Smith research suggest that the IWM + attachment style a child has in infancy does affect childhood friendships and supports the prototype perspective.

Answer 145

Found that 3-5 year old securely attached infants were more curious + self confident. They got along better with other children + were more likely to form close relationships than insecurely attached children. Securely attached children have higher expectations that others are friendly + trusting, so this enables easier relationships with others and closer relationships as they allow people to get close to them.

Answer 146

Assessed attachment types + bullying involvement using standard questionnaires in 196 children (7-11 years) from London and found that secure children are unlikely to be involved in bullying. Insecure avoidant children were more likely to be victims. Insecure resistant children were more likely to be the bullies. As secure children are more confident (Belsky), they are less likely to be a target of bullies for fear that they will stand up for themselves + as they have close friendships, bullies risk them having support for others.

Answer 147

Child cries and sensitive responding causes the child to learn that if a friend cries, they should comfort them, + support them.

Answer 148

Child cries and no response from parents causes the child not to respond to a friend being upset, or would ignore them + not comfort them.

Answer 149

The love quiz (1987) by Hasan and Shaver

Answer 150

If securely attached children have longer lasting romantic relationships.

Answer 151

Analysed 620 responses of a love quiz published in an American newspaper. The questionnaire asked questions to assess current relationships (+more important ones). Then, it asked questions about attitudes towards love as an assessment of the IWM. Lastly, they investigated attachment history to identify current and childhood attachment types.

Answer 152

205 men 415 women 14-82 years old 42% married 31% dating

Answer 153

56% secure. Positive IWM. happy,trusting, more enduring love lives, lasting 10 years. If married tended not to divorce. Positive correlation between attachment types and love experiences (the more attached a person was, the more positive they found their love experiences)

Answer 154

25% avoidant. 6 years lasting. Vulnerable to loneliness. Revealed jealously + fear of intimacy.

Answer 155

19% resistant. 5 years lasting. Vulnerable to loneliness (resistant more than avoidant)

Answer 156

It suggests that if a person’s IWM is negative as a child, they WILL go onto poor relationships as an adult. It doesn’t consider that you can change your relationships and make them positive. Zimmerman found that infant attachment types did not predict adult attachment types, and life events had a greater influence. Therefore, this may be incorrect and a person can work to develop healthy relationships.

Answer 157

The research linking IWM to relationships has weak correlation coefficients so we can’t establish cause + effect. There may be other factors (child’s personality). Steele found only a small correlation of 0.17 between having a secure attachment type in childhood and early adulthood. We therefore can’t say that poor childhood attachment causes poor adult relationships.

Answer 158

Simpson et al (2007) They have found support for a link between early attachment classifications and how this influences later relationships. Secure infants by the age of 1 were rated as having higher social competence as children when aged 16. They were also more expressive + emotionally attached to their partners.

Answer 159

Many studies that support the IWM can be used to predict future relationships (prototype perspective) rely on retrospective data. The studies ask adults for data on their childhood attachments, so these recollections are likely to be flawed (memory could be inaccurate). They are more likely to show demand characteristics and social desirability bias. This makes us question whether there is a link at all.

Answer 160

Individuals with secure attachments were more likely to be nurturing parents, Insecure attachments struggle in parenting. (Show less sensitivity and warmth)

Attachment Flashcards

(185 cards)