Attachment Theory Flashcards
What are the 4 stages of attachment in an infant?
- Asocial stage
- Indiscriminate attachment
- Specific attachments
- Multiple attachments
Describe the Asocial stage of attachment (stage 1)
- Smiling and crying is not directed at specific people but humans are preferred to non-humans e.g., animals, toys
- Occurs at 0-6 weeks
Describe Indiscriminate attachment (stage 2)
- Seek attention from different individuals and show no fear of strangers
- Occurs at 6 weeks to 7 months
Describe Specific attachments (stage 3)
- Strong attachment to one individual
- Separation and stranger anxiety develop
- Occurs at 7-11 months
Describe the Multiple attachments stage (stage 4)
- Show an interest past their one favourite individual
- Occurs 11 months +
What are the 4 attachment styles?
Secure
Insecure avoidant
Insecure ambivalent/resistant
Disorganised
What % of children fall into each attachment style? Secure Insecure avoidant Insecure ambivalent/resistant Disorganised
Secure - 70%
Insecure avoidant - 15%
Insecure ambivalent/resistant - 15%
Disorganised - ~1%
What test can be used to test the attachment style of a child of 12-18 months?
The strange situation procedure
Describe secure attachment in terms of…
- Separation anxiety
- Stranger anxiety
- Reunion behaviour with mother
- Separation anxiety: Distressed when mother leaves
- Stranger anxiety: Avoidant of stranger when alone but friendly when mother present
- Reunion behaviour with mother: Happy when mother returns
Describe insecure avoidant attachment in terms of…
- Separation anxiety
- Stranger anxiety
- Reunion behaviour with mother
- Separation anxiety: No signs of distress when mother leaves
- Stranger anxiety: Accepts stranger and plays normally with them
- Reunion behaviour with mother: Shows little interest when mother returns
As adolescents, insecure avoidant children can come across as…
Private, cold, independent, hard to engage, indifferent to others etc.
Describe insecure ambivalent attachment in terms of…
- Separation anxiety
- Stranger anxiety
- Reunion behaviour with mother
- Separation anxiety: Shows signs of distress when mother leaves
- Stranger anxiety: Avoids stranger and shows fear of them
- Reunion behaviour with mother: Approaches mother but resists contact, may push her away
As adolescents, insecure ambivalent children can come across as…
Attention seeking, insecure, coercive, impulsive, complaining, alternating in moods etc
What time period is most important for developing an attachment style?
The first 3 years of life
Why are the first 3 years of life most important for forming foundations for good mental health?
This is the period of greatest brain development
The brain develops from 25% of adult weight at birth to 90% of adult weight by the age of 3
When referring to a child and their attachment figure, what is meant by…
-Secure base
-Safe haven
?
- Secure base: the attachment figure provides a safe space from which to explore the world, then return
- Safe haven: the attachment figure is a safe place to retreat to in times of distress, fear, anxiety etc
What is meant by attunement when referring to a child and their attachment figure?
The ability of the child and adult to ‘tune into’ each other’s physical and emotional states
Why is attunement important in a developing child?
The child learns to manage their own stress and anxiety by tuning into how their parent calms them down
List some causes of disrupted attachment between a child and their primary caregiver
- Unplanned pregnancy
- Consideration of pregnancy termination
- Post-natal depression
- Physical/emotional abuse
- Parental conflict
- Alcohol/drug abuse
- Frequent moves
- Traumatic experiences
- Unresponsive baby
- Undiagnosed, painful illness in baby
What are the 4 types of temperament seen in children/toddlers/babies?
Easy (40%)
Difficult (10%)
Slow to warm up (5-15%)
No category/mixed (40%)
What is reactive attachment disorder (RAD)?
Disturbed and developmentally inappropriate social relatedness that begins before the age of 5
What are the 2 types of reactive attachment disorder?
Disinhibited: child avoids/rejects interactions
Inhibited: child show excessive and indiscriminate friendliness
What is conduct disorder (CD)?
Repetitive and persistent violation of the basic rights of others or of major age appropriate norms
How does conduct disorder present?
- Aggression towards people or animals
- Destruction of property
- Deceitfulness or theft
- Serious violation of rules
What is oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)?
Conduct disorder in younger children (<10 y/o)
The most important risk factors for developing an attachment disorder are…?
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
