Attachment AO3 Flashcards
Caregiver-Infant Interactions Evaluation Points
1- One strength is that research is usually filmed in a laboratory which means other activity that can distract babies can also be controlled and can also be analysed later. This means it is unlikely that key behaviors will be missed. This means the research has good validity and reliability
2- One limitation is it is hard to interpret a babies behavior. Young babies expressions are usually small hand movements or subtle expression changes so it is difficult to be sure to determine what is taking place from a babies perspective.
3- Another limitation is observing behavior does not tell us its developmental importance and we cannot be certain from observation alone
4- There are practical applications in parenting skills training e.g. interactions improved in mothers and pre-school children
Stages of Attachment Evaluation Points
1- Good external validity as the study has been used to develop their stages. This is because most observations were carried out by the mothers during normal day activities and reported back which means the behavior by the babies was natural and there are less distractions
- COUNTERPOINT of issues with mothers reporting the correct behavior e.g. mothers may lie about what they reported or may also misremember. This reduces stages validity.
3- Poor evidence for asocial stage such as if babies feel anxious they may not be able to express it because they are somewhat immobile. This means stages could be wrong and not fully explained. So validity is decreased because the stages may not be fully accurate
4- Real World Application of reassuring to parents and day care nurseries. Parents can find it easier to send children to daycare during the indiscriminate stage as they dont mind being around strangers too much. May find it harder during specific attachment.
