attachment and development of the self Flashcards
attachment
an emotional bond with a specific person that is enduring over space and time, tendency to seek/maintain closeness
behaviorism and attachment
believe attachment is a result of classical conditioning, baby wants food
Harry Harlow and attachment
- cloth/wire monkey, preferred cloth mother no matter the feeding mother
- bond develops due to a sense of security
attachment theory
John Bowlby, children are biologically predisposed to develop attachments to caregivers as a means of survival, lasting psychological connectedness
secure base
precise of trusted caregiver provides infant/toddler a sense of security in order to explore the environment
internal working model of attachment
mental representation of self, attachment figures, and relationships, based on general attachment experiences, influence future expecations
Ainsworth’s Strange Situation Procedure
- observations of behavior in separations/explorations
- series of 7 episodes, 3 minutes long, stranger interactions and reunifications
secure attachment
type b, use caregiver as secure base, happy when reunified, comforted by caregiver’s presence
insecure/resistant
type c, clingy, do not explore seek out comfort but do not enjoy receiving it
insecure/avoidant
type a, avoid mother, do not greet during reunification, turn away from caregiver
disorganized/disoriented
type d, want to approach caregiver, but they are also a source ogf fear, often associated with abuse/maltreatment
what influences attachment?
- parenting style (sensitive parenting!)
- parental sensitivity
- cultural differences (independence, sensitivity, patterns are universal across cultures)
- genetic influences
self-concept
a system of one’s thoughts and attitudes about oneself, the idea that they are separate from others, agency/independence
self-concept in infancy
- beginning to appreciate the physical self
- regulation of limbs at 2 months
- more distinct around 8 months
- 18-20 months, mirror recognition, body-as-an-obstacle test
- age 2, development of self conscious emotions
self-concept in childhood
- increasing complexity!
- 3-5, understand themselves in concrete characteristics
- 5-8, identify stereotypes, begin to compare themselves to others
- 8-12, begin social comparison
self-concept in adolescence
- the development of multiple selves
- personal fable/imaginary audience
- begin to reflect their own personal values rather than others
self-esteem
overall subjective evaluation of worth/feelings about that evaluation, emerges around age 8, u-shaped development
sources of self-esteem
age, physical attributes, gender, approval/support, cultural differences
inflated praise and self-esteem
- undermines low self-esteem
- sets high standards
identity
definition of the self, often externally imposed
identity acheivement
integration of multiple aspects of the self into a coherent whole, stable over time
identity acheivement
integration of multiple aspects of the self into a coherent whole, stable over time
moratorium
individual is exploring various choices and has not yet made a clear committment
identity forclosure
committed early to an identity before engaging in exploration
identity diffusion
not concerned, make no real concrete steps towards recognizing their identity
Bolby’s attachment stages
- pre-attachment
- indiscriminate social responsiveness
- discriminating socialibility
- attachment
- goal-oriented partnerships
pre-attachment
birth- 2 months, no caregiver preference
indiscriminate social responsiveness
2-7 months, preference may depend on feeding arrangement, use signals to get caregiver’s attention
discriminating socialibility
7 months and older, begin to show caregiver preference
attachment
beyond 10 months, begins to develop with multiple caregivers
goal-oriented partnerships
beginning at age 3
characteristics of attachment
- attachment behavior system
- fear/weariness
- affiliate system
- exploratory behavior system
