Attachment Theory

Question 1

What are the 4 stages of attachment in an infant?

Answer 1

1. Asocial stage
2. Indiscriminate attachment
3. Specific attachments
4. Multiple attachments

Question 2

Describe the Asocial stage of attachment (stage 1)

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

Describe Indiscriminate attachment (stage 2)

Answer 3

• Seek attention from different individuals and show no fear of strangers
• Occurs at 6 weeks to 7 months

Question 4

Describe Specific attachments (stage 3)

Answer 4

• Strong attachment to one individual
• Separation and stranger anxiety develop
• Occurs at 7-11 months

Question 5

Describe the Multiple attachments stage (stage 4)

Answer 5

• Show an interest past their one favourite individual

- Occurs 11 months +

Question 6

What are the 4 attachment styles?

Answer 6

Secure
Insecure avoidant
Insecure ambivalent/resistant
Disorganised

Question 7

What % of children fall into each attachment style?
Secure
Insecure avoidant
Insecure ambivalent/resistant
Disorganised

Answer 7

Secure - 70%
Insecure avoidant - 15%
Insecure ambivalent/resistant - 15%
Disorganised - ~1%

Question 8

What test can be used to test the attachment style of a child of 12-18 months?

Answer 8

The strange situation procedure

Question 9

Describe secure attachment in terms of…

• Separation anxiety
• Stranger anxiety
• Reunion behaviour with mother

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

Describe insecure avoidant attachment in terms of…

• Separation anxiety
• Stranger anxiety
• Reunion behaviour with mother

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

As adolescents, insecure avoidant children can come across as…

Answer 11

Private, cold, independent, hard to engage, indifferent to others etc.

Question 12

Describe insecure ambivalent attachment in terms of…

• Separation anxiety
• Stranger anxiety
• Reunion behaviour with mother

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

As adolescents, insecure ambivalent children can come across as…

Answer 13

Attention seeking, insecure, coercive, impulsive, complaining, alternating in moods etc

Question 14

What time period is most important for developing an attachment style?

Answer 14

The first 3 years of life

Question 15

Why are the first 3 years of life most important for forming foundations for good mental health?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

When referring to a child and their attachment figure, what is meant by…
-Secure base
-Safe haven
?

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

What is meant by attunement when referring to a child and their attachment figure?

Answer 17

The ability of the child and adult to ‘tune into’ each other’s physical and emotional states

Question 18

Why is attunement important in a developing child?

Answer 18

The child learns to manage their own stress and anxiety by tuning into how their parent calms them down

Question 19

List some causes of disrupted attachment between a child and their primary caregiver

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

What are the 4 types of temperament seen in children/toddlers/babies?

Answer 20

Easy (40%)
Difficult (10%)
Slow to warm up (5-15%)
No category/mixed (40%)

Question 21

What is reactive attachment disorder (RAD)?

Answer 21

Disturbed and developmentally inappropriate social relatedness that begins before the age of 5

Question 22

What are the 2 types of reactive attachment disorder?

Answer 22

Disinhibited: child avoids/rejects interactions
Inhibited: child show excessive and indiscriminate friendliness

Question 23

What is conduct disorder (CD)?

Answer 23

Repetitive and persistent violation of the basic rights of others or of major age appropriate norms

Question 24

How does conduct disorder present?

Answer 24

• Aggression towards people or animals
• Destruction of property
• Deceitfulness or theft
• Serious violation of rules

Question 25

What is oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)?

Answer 25

Conduct disorder in younger children (<10 y/o)

Question 26

The most important risk factors for developing an attachment disorder are…?

Answer 26

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)