Attachment

Question 1

Define Attachment

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Define Attachment object

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Define Attachment complex

Answer 3

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

Question 4

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

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Explain the theoretical approaches to attachment

1. Learning Thoery
2. Cognitive Theory
3. Ethological Theory

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Bowlby’s phases of attachment (4 phases)

Answer 6

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

Question 7

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

Answer 7

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

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Disorganised attachment

Question 9

Describe an attachment disorder

Answer 9

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