Attachment Flashcards

The history of the study of attachment. Brief overview of Bowlby's theory of attachment. Mary Ainsworth and the 'Strange Situation'. The 'why' & 'so what' of attachment security. The importance of emotions in the context of interactions. Critical, concluding points.

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1
Q

Define Attachment

A

A close emotional relationship between two persons, characterised by mutual affection & a desire to maintain proximity (Bowlby, 1969; Cohen, 1974)

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2
Q

Define Attachment object

A

Someone (or something) with whom we are motivated to maintain contact (Ainsworth, 1989)

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3
Q

Define Attachment complex

A

Set of behaviours & mental states responsible for establishing and maintaining attachments (Keil, 2014)

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4
Q

State the timeline history of the study of attachment (early 1900s, 1930s - 1950s, late 1950s, 1960s)

A

Drive reduction - develop ideas about infant caregiver bond based on feeding.

Informed by imprinting (Lorenz) - demonstrate feeding is not most important determinant of attachment.

Attachment for comfort & love (Harlow) & protection & survival (Bowlby) - argue psychoanalytic explanations are inadequate.

Significance of close contact, togetherness & reinforcement (Ainsworth; Anisfeld) & Infants active, not passive (Thomas & Chess) - caregiver attachment biological part learned, with emotional aspect linked to intellectual development.

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5
Q

Explain the theoretical approaches to attachment

  1. Learning Thoery
  2. Cognitive Theory
  3. Ethological Theory
A
  1. Caregivers play an important role in the infants emotional development.
  2. Timing of emotional attachment related to the child’s level of intellectual development.
  3. Infants as active participants in the attachment process.
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6
Q

Bowlby’s phases of attachment (4 phases)

A
  1. Pre-attachement (birth - 6 weeks)
  2. Attachment-in-the-making (6w - 6m)
  3. Clear-cut (6 - 8m)
  4. Goal-corrected partnership (18 - 24m)
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7
Q

The 3 classifications in Ainsworth attachment theory - ‘strange situation’

A

A. Avoidant
B. Secure
C. Resistant (anxious)

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8
Q

The type D attachment later developed (Main & Solomon, 1986)

A

Disorganised attachment

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9
Q

Describe an attachment disorder

A

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
Two types:
- Inhibited - child not able to form any attachment.
- Disinhibited - child indiscriminate in whom they go to.

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