Attachment Flashcards
What is attachment?
Close enduring emotional bonds formed between a child and a caregiver.
What is the psychoanalytic theory for why infants become attached? (2)
- Mom satisfies babies’ oral needs. 2. The first relationship provides model for all others.
What is the behaviorist theory of attachment?
Mom provides relief from hunger. Positive associations lead to attachment.
What is an example of a behaviorist experiment about attachment?
Harlow’s monkeys.
What was Bowlby’s Ethology Theory inspired by?
Ethology (Lorenz).
What is Bowlby’s Ethology Theory? (2)
- Attachment is adaptive - helps child survive. 2. Attachment provides model for future relationships.
What is the most influential theory of attachment?
Bowlby’s Ethology Theory.
When does stranger anxiety occur?
At around 6-7 months.
When does separation anxiety peak?
At around 13-15 months.
When does separation anxiety emerge?
At around 8 months.
When does stranger anxiety last until?
Around 2 years.
What is “Secure base behavior”?
Using the caregiver as a “base of operations.”
What was the Strange situation? (3)
- Used for children 1-2 years old. 2. Series of separations and reunions. 3. Stranger introduced.
What percent of children were classified as having a Secure attachment?
60%.
What percent of children were classified as having a Insecure-Avoidant attachment?
15%.
What percent of children were classified as having a Insecure-Resistant (or ambivalent) attachment?
9-10%.
What percent of children were classified as having a Disorganized/Disoriented attachment?
15%.
What is a secure attachment? (3)
- Explore freely in caregiver’s presence. 2. Often visibly upset when caregiver leaves. 3. Greet caregiver warmly at reunion.
What is an Insecure-Avoidant attachment? (3)
- Little or no distress upon separation. 2. Avoid contact with caregiver upon reunion. 3. May show more positive behaviors with stranger.
What is an Insecure-resistant (or ambivalent) attachment? (3)
- Thoroughly distressed by separation. 2. Don’t settle easily upon reunion. 3. Mix proximity-seeking and angry behaviors.
What is a Disorganized/Disoriented attachment? (3)
- Confused, contradictory behaviors. 2. Dazed, fearful facial expressions. 3. Frozen postures.
When is a Disorganized/Disoriented attachment likely? (2)
- Abuse. 2. Severe mental illness is present in parents.
Parental anxiety may lead to what kind of attachment style?
Insecure-resistant.
Which attachment style is correlated with the most social-emotional problems?
Disorganized/Disoriented.
Do all babies become attached?
Yes.
What are the benefits of secure attachment? (3)
- Social emotional competence. 2. More attentive and involved at school. 3. Positive psychological, emotional, and cognitive outcomes later in life.
Romanian orphanage children before what age made rapid improvements?
Before age 3.
Romanian orphanage children exhibited autism-like traits by what point?
Once adopted after 6 months.
