Attachment Flashcards
Define attachment
An emotional bond between 2 people
It’s a 2 way process that endures over time
What are the 4 behaviours?
Separation anxiety: stress shown by an infant when deprecated from caregiver
Stranger anxiety: stress shown by an infant when approached by someone unfamiliar
Reunion behaviour: relief shown by infant when reunited with caregiver
Willingness to explore: using caregiver as a safe base to explore the immediate area
What are the infant caregiver interactions?
Reciprocity: responding to the action of another with a similar action
Intersectional synchrony: when 2 people interact they tend to mirror what the other person is doing in terms of facial/body movements
Can include emotions as well as behaviours
What are Schaffer & Emerson’s stages of attachment
Pre attachment (0-6weeks)
Show similar responses to animate & inanimate objects
Show preference to social stimuli towards end of stage - more content with people
Indiscriminate attachment (6weeks-7months)
Can distinguish between familiar & unfamiliar people
Still easily comforted by anyone
Specific attachment (7-24months) Formed specific attachment to primary caregiver Show separation/stranger anxiety & reunion behaviour
Multiple attachments (>8months) Secondary attachment Attach to multiple individuals in which they interact with regularly
Define learning theory
The name given to a group of explanations that explain behaviour in terms of learning rather than inborn tendencies
What is the main principle of learning theory as an explanation for forming attachments?
We love our caregivers because they feed us
Explain classical conditioning as an explanation for attachment
Baby has sucking reflex for food (food=UCS)
Food produces pleasure (UCR)
Mother is originally NS
person giving food is associated with pleasure of food
Eventually mother is associated with the pleasure of giving food (mum=CS) (pleasure=CR)
Explain operant conditioning as an explanation for attachment
Behaviour is repeated if positively reinforced
Baby cries when hungry
Baby given food (reward) - baby happy
(Food=primary reinforcer)
Mum associated with giving food (secondary reinforcer)
Mum is source of reward, behaviour is repeated and attachment is eventually formed
Evaluate learning theory as an explanation for attachment
It suggests food is main element of forming attachment but this is contradicted by Harlow’s study which shows monkeys form attach based on contact comfort
All learning theory is based of animal research - can’t be generalised to humans
Why did Bowlby believe attachments formed?
He believed attachment behaviour evolved because it is important for our survival
How did Bowlby believe attachments formed?
Critical period
A biologically determined period of time in which attachment must occur, otherwise it never will
Critical period for babies - 3-6 months
Social releases
Social behaviour/characteristics that elicits caregiving & leads to attachment
Include features such as smiling & babyface
Monotropy
One relationship that infant has with primary caregiver that is of special significance in emotional development
Define innate predisposition
Infant is born with need to form attachment to caregiver
What did Bowlby believe the consequences of deprivation were?
Internal WM
Mental model of the world which enables individuals to predict & control their environment
It acts as a template for future relationships because it generates expectations of what a relationship should be
Evaluate Bowlbys theory of explanations for attachment
Rutter et al proved it was more difficult to form attachments after critical period but not impossible (more of a sensitive period)
Grossman & Grossman contradict monotropy because they found fathers secondary attachment play a key role in social development
What are the characteristics of secure attachment?
Explores environment when with caregiver
Shows distress upon separation with caregiver
Easily soothed/comforted by caregiver
Show some distress when left with stranger
