ATTACHMENT ( CARE GIVER INTERACTIONS , ROLE OF THE FATHER ) Flashcards
What is meant by the term attachment?
Attachment is an emotional tie between two people, usually a mother and a child / primary care giver . The relationship is reciprocal.
explain what is meant by reciprocity in relation to caregiver - infant interactions
when an infant responds to the action of another person eg . the mother
explain what is meant by interactional synchrony in relation to caregiver-infant interactions
where an infant mirrors the actions of another person eg. an infant imitating behaviors and or the emotions of their parents / caregiver
outline meltzoff and moore’s experiment to examine caregiver-infant interactions .
AIM : To examine caregiver - infant interactions
METHOD : An adult model would display one of three facial expressions or hand movements . The child’s response was filmed
RESULTS : There was an association between infant behaviour and the adult model
What type of research method did Meltzoff and Moore use ?
Uncontrolled observation
Evaluate meltzoff and moore’s experiment to examine caregiver - infant interactions
STRENGTH
Point : One strength of Meltzoff and Moore comes from a replication of the study conducted by the authors 6 years later
Evidence/example : Meltzoff and Moore replicated their study with infants as young as three days old . They found that even infants this young demonstrated the same synchrony suggesting that the behaviour is innate ( natural )
EXPLAIN : This matters because this suggests that the original findings were reliable and that caregiver- infant interactions are an innate mechanism used to help develop an attachment bond .
LIMITATION
Point : One issue with Meltzoff and Moore’s research is the questionable reliability of testing infants
Evidence/ Explanation : Infants pull ‘funny faces’ all thetime and it is not uncommon for an infant to randomly stick their tongoue out , yawn and smile and therefore it is difficult to distinguish between normal behaviour and imitation .
Explain : This matters beacuse we are unable to conclude whether the results of Meltzoff and Moore ‘s research demonstrate caregiver - infant interactions or everyday infant behaviour , and therefore further research is required to test the reliability of these findings
Stages of attachment : what age is the asocial stage and what behaviours/preferences that the infant has
0-6 weeks , similar response to objects and people . A preference for faces/eyes
Stages of attachment : what age is the Indiscriminate attachments stage and what behaviours/preferences that the infant has
6 weeks - 6 months , comforted by indiscriminately ( by anyone ) . Preferences for human over non-human company
Stages of attachment : what age is the discriminate attachment stage and what behaviours/preferences that the infant has
7 To 12 months , Looks to a particular person for security , comfort and protection. Preference for one caregiver , shows separation and stranger anxiety
Stages of attachment : what age is the multiple attachments stage and what behaviours/preferences that the infant has
1 year plus , attachment behaviours are displayed towards several people
Explain Schaffer and Emerson ( 1964) ‘s experiment to examine formation of early attachments
AIM : To examine the formation of early attachments
METHOD : Their sample consisted of 60 babies ( 31 males , 29 males) from working class families in Glasgow . The researchers visited the babies in their home every month for the first 12 months , and then once again at 18 month . The researchers interviewed the mothers and observed the children , in relation to separation and stranger anxiety .
RESULTS : The results provided some support for the stages of attachment . At around 25-32 weeks, 50% of the children showed separation anxiety towards their mothers , expected at the discriminate attachment stage . Furthermore , by 40 weeks , 80% of the children had a specific ( discriminate ) attachments and 30 % had started to form multiple attachments
CONCLUSIONS : The results provide some support for Shaffer’s stages of attachments and suggest that attachment develops through a series of stages .
Outline the role of the father
Fathers are less likely to play the role of the primary attachment compared to the mother . Fathers play the role of the ‘playmate’ role instead this is because fathers are not equipped psychologically because they may have different views on care giving and providing . Biologically fathers do not have the hormone oestrogen found in women which underlines caring behaviour .
what has research shown (2 findings PEEL ) about the role of the father
POINT : ( belsky et al . ) Fathers are not biologically equipped
EVIDENCE : Found that males who reported higher levels of marital intimacy also displayed a secure father - infant attachment , whereas males with lower levels of maternal intimacy displayed insecure father - infant attachments .
EXPLANATION - This is because males are unable to form secure attachments with their children , however the strength of the attachment depends on the father and mother relationship
POINT : There is research evidence that provides support for the role of the father as a ‘playmate’ .
EVIDENCE : Research by Geiger ( 1996) found that a father’s play interactions were more exciting in comparison to a mother’s . However , the mother’s play interactions were more affectionate and nurturing
EXPLANATION : This suggests that the role of the father is in fact as a playmate and not as a sensitive parent who responds to the needs of their children . These results also confirm that the mother takes on a nurturing role .
