Attachment AO3 Flashcards
Strength of Research into infant-caregiver interactions
Controlled observations capture fine detail. They are generally well controlled ensuring very fine details of behaviour can be recorded and analysed. Babies are also unaware of observation so no change in behaviour. Matters because it means research has high validity.
Weaknesses of Research into infant-caregiver interactions
- Observations don’t tell us purpose of synchrony and reciprocity. Feldman stated they simply describe behaviours that occur at the same time. They can be reliably observed but it doesn’t tell us purpose of infant-caregiver interactions. Matters because suggests further research is needed.
- Explanation not found in all cultures. Le Vine et al found Kenyan mothers have little physical interactions or contact with infants but still have high proportion of secure attachments. Research may be ethnocentric and ignore how attachments form in other cultures. Matters because lacks population validity.
Strength of Research into Role of the Father
May have helped contribute to social changes. Fathers now have increased paternity leave as research has shown the crucial role fathers can have in raising infants. Shows real life applications of research findings.
Weaknesses of Research into Role of the Father
- Inconsistent findings. Some researchers interested in primary caregivers, others secondary. Former found fathers have distinct role from mothers, latter found fathers can take on maternal role. Cannot answer simple question of fathers role.
- Lacks temporal validity. Research done in 1960s where most families nuclear while today more divorce/single parent families. Family dynamics changed so research no longer applicable today.
Strengths of Schaffer + Emmerson study into early attachment
- Longitudinal research that followed the same group of 60 infants over a time period of 18 months. This allowed the researchers to see how these children developed overtime and it was not affected by individual differences.
- Didn’t take place in lab environment. Took place in ppts homes which was their natural setting which allowed for natural behaviours. Has ecological validity.
Weakness of Schaffer + Emmerson Study into early attachment.
- Limited ppt sample. All infants/carers were working middle class and from Glasgow. Children from other areas may have different opportunities/parenting styles so lacks generalisability.
Weaknesses of Stages of Attachment
- Cultural differences as all ppts from same area and other cultures may have different ways of forming attachments. Lacks applicability.
- Problem studying asocial stage. Not much observable behaviour in babies in first few weeks of life. Unreliable evidence.
- Problem with measuring multiple attachment. Bowlby said children also have playmates so baby may get distressed if playmate leaves but this doesn’t signify attachment. No way to distinguish between playmates and secondary attachment figures.
Strength of Learning Theory of Attachment
Links to wider psychological knowledge. Supported by Pavlov and Skinner’s research. Validates underlying principles involved in forming attachments.
Weaknesses of Learning Theory of Attachment
- Ignores other important factors of attachment. Isabella et al research into infant-caregiver interactions found that “better interaction lead to better quality attachments”. Shows learning isn’t only way you can form attachment.
- Counter evidence from animal research. Lorenz found instinctive survival component in geese and Harlow found monkeys need contact comfort rather than food. Wider reasons and explanations for attachments need to be explored.
Strengths of Monotropic Theory of Attachment
- Supported by animal studies of attachment. Lorenz found goslings didn’t learn attachments and that it was an innate behaviour. Harlow supported the idea of the impact of maternal deprivation. Supports the underlining ideas of this theory.
- Real life application. Can be used in childcare as the child won’t form attachment if it doesn’t have any skin on skin contact in the critical period, reducing risk of poor relationships. Mothers allowed contact with infant in hospital to secure attachments.
Weakness of Monotropic Theory of Attachment
Could be socially sensitive and have economic implications. Theory states one person (usually mother) attaches to the infant which could put pressure on single working mothers. Mothers feel they can’t work which could lead to less tax revenue which has negative economic implications.
