Attachment and Bonding Flashcards

1
Q

What are the phases in the development of attachments?

A

1 - Pre-attachment.

2 - Indiscriminate attachment.

3 - Discriminate attachment.

4 - Multiple attachment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe the pre-attachment phase.

How long does it last for?

A
  • The development of the preference for contact with humans.

- Lasts up to 3 months.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe the indiscriminate attachment phase.

When does it occur and how long does it last for?

A
  • Infants start to discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar people.
  • Allows strangers to look after infants without noticeable distress.
  • Occurs at 3 months of age and lasts up to 7 months.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe the discriminate attachment phase.

When does it occur?

What is separation anxiety?

A
  • Infants actively try to stay close to certain familiar people and become distressed when separated from them (separation anxiety).
  • Occurs at 7-8 months of age.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is required of an infant in order to demonstrate discriminate attachment?

A

Requires the infant to be able to discriminate between its mother and other people.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is object permanence?

A

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be perceived.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

In which attachment phase might an infant demonstrate the fear of stranger response?

A

The discriminate attachment phase.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the multiple attachment phase.

When does it occur?

A
  • The phase where strong additional ties are formed.
  • The fear of stranger response weakens.
  • Occurs at 9 months of age onwards.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is imprinting?

Who theorised this?

A
  • The phenomenon where non human animals form strong bonds with the first moving objects they encounter.
  • Theorised by Lorenz.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What implications can imprinting have on animals later in life?

A

They may show sexual preference for the species of the organism they first saw at birth / were imprinted on.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Give an example of a psychoanalytic theory of attachment.

A

Infants become attached because of a caregiver’s ability to satisfy instinctual needs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Give an example of a behavioural theory of attachment.

A

Infants associate their caregivers with gratification and they learn to approach them to have their physiological needs satisfied.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is Bowlby’s theory of attachment?

A

Because new-born infants are helpless, they are genetically programmed to behave towards their mothers in ways that ensure survival.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

List 4 behaviours that exemplify Bowlby’s theory of attachment.

A

1 - Non-nutritive sucking.

2 - Cuddling.

3 - Smiling.

4 - Crying.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

According to Bowlby, when does the attachment between a mother and infant become useless?

What is this period known as?

A
  • After 36 months.

- Known as the critical period.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is monotropy?

A

The phenomenon where infants display innate tendency to attach to one adult.

17
Q

What are mirror neurones?

A

Neurones that fire both when an action is performed or when observing another perform that action.

18
Q

What is maternal sensitivity and how does it influence attachment?

A
  • A mother’s ability to perceive the meaning of her infant’s behaviour.
  • Attachment correlates with maternal sensitivity.
19
Q

What behaviour might be exhibited by an anxious avoidant type? (4)

A
  • The organism is indifferent to the mother.
  • Play is little affected by the presence of the mother.
  • Actively ignores or avoids the mother on her return.
  • As easily comforted by the mother as by a stranger.
20
Q

What behaviour might be exhibited by a secure attachment type? (5)

A
  • Play is little affected by the presence of a stranger if the mother is present.
  • The mother is ignored because she can be trusted.
  • Increased stress and reduced play when the mother leaves.
  • Seeks immediate contact when mother returns.
  • More easily comforted by the mother than by a stranger.
21
Q

What behaviour might be exhibited by an anxious resistant type? (5)

A
  • Infant is fussy and wary when the mother is present.
  • Cries more than other types.
  • Infant has difficulty using the mother as a secure base.
  • Distressed when mother leaves.
  • Upon mother’s return, seeks contact but also shows anger and resists contact.
  • Actively resists strangers’ efforts to make contact.