Attachment- Reciprocity and interactional synchrony

Question 1

attachment definition

Answer 1

strong, emotional bond between a caregiver and an infant- reciprocal and enduring

Question 2

characteristics of attachment- Maccoby (1980)

Answer 2

-seeking proximity
-separation anxiety
-pleasure when reunited
-general orientation of behaviour towards caregiver

Question 3

reciprocity AO1

Answer 3

-develops at early age (3 months)
-two way/mutual process
-each party responds to signals
-behaviour elicits response from other
-showing sensitive responsiveness creates strong foundations for later attachments

Question 4

research into reciprocity

Answer 4

Tronik et al (1975) ‘still face study’
- mother dialogue with baby
-then mum stops responding (straight face) so no reaction
-baby dont like face so tries to get reaction
- baby stressed

Question 5

reciprocity research conclusions

Answer 5

reciprocity is very important because
-shows that baby and caregiver respond to each others needs
- when caregiver stops responding baby’s reaction almost immediate

Question 6

interactional synchrony AO1

Answer 6

-interactions between infant and caregiver become finely synchronised in response as they mirror each other
-actions + emotions synchronised
-mirror

Question 7

back up interactional synchrony AO1 (study)

Answer 7

Isabella el al:
- 30 mums and infants
- found high levels of synchrony associated with better attachment

SO interactional synchrony is essential for attachment

Question 8

research into interactional synchrony

Answer 8

Meltzoff and Moore (1977)

-2 week old babies
-adult showed 1 of 3 facial expressions (tongue etc) OR 1 of 3 hand movements
-response filmed
-behavioural categories
-observer didnt know what the baby saw (cant see caregiver)
-association found
-innate rather than learned

Question 9

AO3- strengths

Answer 9

1. well controlled research study
   -inter-rater reliability because independent
   observers can re watch tapes and compare
   findings- ensures objectivity
2. practical applications
   • could encourage/ show parents importance of spending time with infant and responding to them.
     - studies show lack of early attachment could lead to possible behavioural deficiencies and lack of social skills

Question 10

AO3- weaknesses

Answer 10

1. interpretation issues
   - what facial expression or gesture the infant was performing?
   - early age of development, infants don’t have fine control over expressions- could be misinterpreted
   -invalid data gathered prone to subjective interpretation
2. doesn’t account for cultural differences
   -describes result not telling why happened
   -Le Vine et al. (1994) reported that Kenyan mothers have little physical contact or interaction with their infants, but such infants still develop secure attachments.
   -suggest that care-giver infant interactions are not as essential for developing social skills, and the theory therefore lacks external validity
3. pseudo- imitation
   - not true imitation but just repeating behaviour thats rewarded
   -infant isn’t consciously translating what they see into matching movement
4. cause and effect