attachment Flashcards
what is attachment
a deep sated emotional tie that one individual forms with another enduring over time
what are some attachment behaviours
crying, smiling, clinging
bowlby’s attachment theory
infants have motivational system for establishing attachment
critical period: 0-2.5 years
selective attachment: focused on specific individuals
physical proximity seeking
separation elicits protest
stranger anxiety
bowlby phases of attachment
pre-attachment: 0-2 months, shows little differentiation in responses to mother and other people
early attachment: 2-7 months, begins to recognise mother, gradually more likely to be comforted by her
separation protest: 7-9 months to 2 years: seeks to maintain proximity with mother, wary of strangers, protests when separated
goal corrected: 2-3 years and up, has more abstract representation of attachment (trust, affection, approval), begins to understand mothers needs with increased independence
what is the maternal deprivation hypothesis
notion that later serious deleterious outcomes (damage) will come from the lack of a consistent attachment figure in early childhood
harlow’s monkeys
contact comfort as a primary need, not just cupboard love
supporto for maternal deprivation hypothesis, as monkeys grew up to be withdrawn, fearful, attack others, unlikely to mate successfully
lorenz’s goslings - imprinting theory
attach to first moving object they see
critical period is irreversible
what are some criticisms of bowlby
critical period or sensitive period? - attachment still develops in children who were adopted after 5 years
bowlby worked primarily with traumatised children, not controls
no account for infant temperament
cultural variation
maternal deprivation hypothesis
not just the mother
how is attachment measured? - Ainsworth strange situation
1) mother and baby
2) stranger, mother and baby
3) stranger and baby
4) mother and baby
5) baby alone
6) stranger and baby
7) mother and baby
what were the results of Ainsworth strange situation
mothers presence facilitated exploration
mothers absence decreased exploration, increased attachment
separation elected crying, searching behaviour increased
reunions produced proximity seeking, contact-maintaining behaviours
what are the types of attachment: type B - secure
caregiver facilitates exploration
distressed by separation
during reunion, actively seeks contact
soothed by mothers return
typically, parenting is responsive, sensitive, supportive and available
what are the types of attachment: type A - avoidant
readily explores
little distress on separation
does not avoid stranger
during reunion, does not seek proximity to mother
typically, parenting is rejecting
what are the types of attachment: type C - resistant/ambivalent
does not explore
anxious and clingy
intense distress during separation
ambivalent behaviour during reunion
typically parenting is inconsistent
what are the types of attachment: type D - disorganised
unusual and disoriented behaviours
unable to handle stressful situations
may appear dazed, frightened or depressed in presence of mother
typically parenting is neglectful or abusive
what are some criticisms of the strange situation
low ecological validity
does not identify general attachment style
relationships differ between people at different times
based on 100 middle class families
not necessarily appropriate for all cultures - style A more prevalent in western countries and style C more frequent in Israel and Japan
early research found higher proportion that were insecurely attached
insecure attachment pattern may represent positive adaptation to normal routine of daily separations from mother
more recent measures of attachment: PACS
3-5 year olds based on strange situation
4x 5minute episodes
children left alone rather than in presence of stranger
more recent measures of attachment: attachment Q sort
proximity seeking/exploration in home or other naturalistic setting
sort 90 descriptive cards
attachment ranges from very secure to very insecure
why does attachment matter - internal working models
formation of internal working models used to predict or interpret behaviour of others in future life
what factors influence the development of attachment
maternal sensitivity (parent’s ability to respond sensitively and be emotionally available)
parenting (secure, resistant, avoidant, disorganised)
child temperament?
