Attachment- Caregiver-infant Interactions & Stages Of Attachment

Question 1

Define the term ‘attachment’ (2)

Answer 1

-an emotional link between an infant and caregiver, each seek closeness and feel more secure when in the presence of an attachment figure
-interactions between a caregiver and an infant is where an attachment starts. It is the responsiveness of the caregiver to the infants signals that has a deep effect on the infant

Question 2

What 3 behaviours help us recognise an attachment?

Answer 2

Proximity- infants try to stay physically close
Separation distress- infants are distressed when an attachment figure leaves
Secure base behaviour- infants always ‘touch base’ (regularly return to attachment figure when playing)

Question 3

What are the 2 types of caregiver-infant interactions in humans?

Answer 3

Interactional synchrony and reciprocity

Question 4

Describe interactional synchrony

Answer 4

(Mirroring actions)
-caregiver and infant respond in time to keep communication going
-e.g infant smiles and caregiver smiles back at the same time (in sync)

Question 5

Who conducted AO1 for interactional synchrony?

Answer 5

-Meltzoff and Moore

Question 6

Describe Meltzoff and Moore’s research into interactional synchrony

Answer 6

-conducted a controlled observation of forty two week old infant to measure caregiver interactions
-an adult displayed a facial feature (tongue protrusion, lip protrusion or mouth opening)
-child’s response was filmed and identified by an independent observer
-a link was found between expression of adult and response of infant

Question 7

Describe reciprocity as a caregiver-infant interactions between in humans

Answer 7

(Turn taking)
-two way mutual process
-where infants and caregivers take turns to respond to each others behaviours (like a conversation)
-behaviour of each party elicits a response from the other e.g. child puts out arms to be held, caregiver picks them up
-infants have ‘alert phases’ and spinal when they are ready for interactions, mothers pick up and act on this 2/3 of the time

Question 8

Who conducted AO1 into reciprocity

Answer 8

Brazelton

Question 9

Describe Brazelton’s research into reciprocity

Answer 9

-Brazelton said both mother and infant start the interaction and take turns to do so
-he called this the ‘dance’ and said its like when a couple dance, they respond to each others moves