Attachment - Caregiver interactions in humans Flashcards
What is attachment?
A two way communication between the infant and its caregiver
What does the caregiver and infant reacting with each other help build?
Emotional bonds and ultimately results in the infant showing distress when separated
What is interactional synchrony?
Adults and babies responding at the SAME TIME, MIRRORING each other’s actions
What is reciprocity?
Interaction FLOWING both ways, with an adult and infant taking it in turns in responding to each other’s actions
What is sensitive responsiveness?
The adult paying careful attention to the infant, responding appropriately
E.g crying = milk
What is caregiverse?
use of baby talk by adults (modulating pitch)
What is baby contact?
Skin to skin contact for bonding
What is imitation?
direct copying
What did Meltzoff and Moore (1977)’s investigation suggest?
Imitation is possible from an early age
What was Meltzoff and Moore’s procedure?
Recordings of 12-21 day old infants responding to an experimenter were rated
Ratings showed that infants imitate gestures such as sticking out tongue, opening and closing hand and mouth open in shock.
What are the strengths of Meltzoff and Moore’s study?
Multiple studies use multiple observers providing INTER-RATER RELIABILITY and a system of video cameras document and show micro-sequences of interactions between caregivers and infants (ADDS SCIENTIFIC OBJECTIVITY)
What are the weaknesses of Meltzoff and Moore’s study ?
- INFERENCES in internal mental states have been made as infants are unable to communicate their thoughts which means the study is OPEN TO BIAS INTERPRETATIONS MATCHING OBSERVERS
- SOCIAL SENSITIVITY - mothers who decide to return to work may feel their life choices are being criticised
What did Klaus + Kennel (1996) find?
Mothers who displayed extended physical contact had stronger attachment bonds than others
