Attachment Theory Flashcards
Why is attachment important? 5 things
We are born helpless and therefore have an innate need to attach
Emotional connection is coded as a safety cue in our brains
Isolation or emotional separation are coded as danger cues
The quality of emotional connection is key to How we develop as human beings
It impacts how we see ourselves (Lovable, competent and deserving of care) and whether we see others as dependable and trustworthy
When does it begin?
In the womb
Continues throughout life
What does it mean that attachment is an innate motivating force? 4
Synaptic firing – how you were seen is how you see yourself
Social emotional development is the fundamental foundation for all human development and help person wellness
The parent child relationship is stored at the brain at the automatic level
Can even affect things like how we parent
History from the 1700s
1760- Spanish Bishop reported children in foundling homes though sheltered and fed, died from sadness
History – 1930s and 40s
Orphaned American children deprived of touch and emotional contact died
1952
Emotional deprivation in infancy a study by Renee A. Spitz
Children separated from parents described debilitating grief as failure to thrive
John Bowlby
1950s
1958
Founder of attachment theory
He worked in the 30s as a psychiatrist in a child guidance clinic in London where he treated many disturbed children
Considered the importance of the child’s relationship with their mother in terms of their social emotional and cognitive development
1950s Mary Ainsworth (5)
Dissertation -the importance of familial security as a foundation for adult sense of confidence and independence
Joined Bowlby for further research. The strange situation experiment how can a relationship be measured?
Observed documented researched the time course and features of typical infant attachment in Uganda and the US
Attunement – Sensitive responsiveness to the infants cues was the critical factor in determining the type and quality of the infants attachment
Noted by three months infants contribute to behavioural Synchrony as well as matching facial expressions and turn taking with vocalisations
Historical context – how does Bowlby and Ainsworth fit together and what does it mean? 4
Bowlby. Contradicted the behavioural theory of attachment
Behavioural theory of attachment undervalued the child’s bond with mother, And argued child becomes attached to mother because she feeds the infant
But According to Bowlby infants have a universal need to stick close proximity with caregiver when under stress or feeling threatened
This motivation is found in the need for attachment (children who feel strongly connected to a loving caring adult attachment figure demonstrate greater resilience and adversity)
What three things did infant seek out in an attachment figure or seek out an attachment figure for?
1) An attachment figure sort out in times of stress and if someone who is unwonted leaving would cause distress and protest
2) Someone who creates a safe haven because they are a source of comfort protection and security
3) Someone who provides a secure base from which to explore the world take risks and pursue development
What is meant by bonding?
Bonding is the love and caring relationship that the mother develops with a baby immediately after birth or a primary caregiver would develop after birth
What is attachment?
Attachment is there a reciprocal relationship between mother or primary caregiver and child that solidifies in the first year of life
Can be a few primary caregivers producing a desire to be near them or turn to them for comfort, security and confidence
Early intervention specialist measure attachment as the quality of the relationship
What is biological bonding?
Hormones released in baby and mother to react to each other
Woman’s released in the infant at the time of birth cause intense alertness allowing the baby to respond to Mum
Hormones released in the mother after the delivery create feelings of well-being which enhance open this and bonding
What is Biological Attachment
And inborn system of the brain That evolved to keep the child safe Bobby argues that this is inherent and instinct
It enables a child to (three)
Seek proximity
Search for a safe haven
Internalise a secure base
Attachment theory ABC’s. What is the A?
Attunement
Parents aligned the internal state with the child often through non-verbal signals. To do this the parent needs to be emotionally accessible responsive and engaged
Attachment theory ABC’s. What is the B?
Balance
Child attends balance of body, mind, achievement with parent
Attachment theory ABC’s. What is the C?
Coherence
Sense of internal and interpersonal integration and connection, which the child achieves through the relationship with a parent
What are the social and emotional milestones in 0-3 month olds?
0-3 months: Attention and regulation (sleep wake cycle balance)
What are the five psychological test of childhood?
To develop a strong secure attachment bond
To learn to regulate External sensory input
To learn to manage internal affective states
Communicate affectively so their needs are met
To affectively adapt to the changing world
How much of the brains development happens in the first four years of life?
80%
What does normal development process involve?
The ability of the child’s central nervous system to organise sensory feedback from the body and the environment in order to make successful adaptive responses
What do relationships do for the nervous system
They regulate them like calories
for example fear and uncertainty activate attachment needs
Talk about a connection between relationships brain and the nervous system
Behaviour expresses how well the brain is functioning
Observing is key helps parents adapt to care and give timely responses
How does self-regulation occur?
This emerges as a result of her regulation from key attachment figure(s)
What does self-regulation for an infant look like?
Manages sleep wake cycle
maintains appropriate levels of arousal and alertness
Is able to send clear emotional signals
What does self-regulation for a toddler include?
Seeks out play with caregiver
Tries to self comfort
Explores toys in a focused manner
Expresses mine
Accepts appropriate limits
What does self-regulation for a child involve?
The developing ability for the child to match their emotional responses and behaviour to cultural expectations of a situation
Able to balance emotional response during every day activities
Inhibits outbursts when asked, even if “I don’t want to!”
What are the four attachment styles of Mary Ainsworth’s attachment theory?
Secure -attachment
Insecure -attachment
Insecure -anxious / ambivalent
Insecure -disorganised
What is secure attachment?
Secure dependence fosters autonomy
Being aligned and in tune with the child, offers a safe haven and secure base from which the child can explore the world
Developing a secure attachment does not require being a perfect parent or caregiver
What are child characteristics of a secure attachment?
Better able to deal with frustration
More socially competent
Cooperative and compliant
Resilience
More able to deal with stress and balance emotions
More engaged in symbolic play
Insecure relationships (anger) at a parent or caregiver is in accessibility is recognised and accepted
What are caregiver characteristics for secure attachment?
Sensitivity in responding to infants needs/signals
Excepting of a child’s feelings
Accessible
Cooperative
Comforting
Shows love and joy
What are the resulting adult characteristics of secure attachment?
Able to create meaningful relationships
Be empathetic
Able to set appropriate boundaries
What are The social emotional milestones of a child 3 to 6 months old?
3-6 months: Mutual engagement (reciprocal eye to eye contact)
What are the social emotional milestones of a child 4- 10 months old?
4-10 months: Two way communication (non-verbal)
What are the social and emotional milestones of children 10 to 18 months old?
10-18 months: problem solving
What are the social emotional milestones of a child 18 to 30 months old?
18-30 months: Expresses thoughts and feelings
What are the social and emotional milestones of children 30 to 48 months old?
30-48 months: connecting symbols and abstract thinking
What are the social and emotional milestones of a child 3 - 4 years old?
3-4 years old level of abstract thinking
What are the ABCs of attachment theory?
Attunement
Balance
Coherence
What is insecure avoidant attachment?
When there is some level of insecurity in their relationship which impacts how a child is able to develop
What are the caregiver characteristics of avoidant attachment (insecure)?
Parent is unavailable or rejecting (for many possible reasons)
What are the child characteristics of insecure avoidant attachment style?
Highly dependent
Non-compliant
Poor social interactions
Hostile, impulsive
Easily defeated and withdrawn
No visible distress when separated from caregiver
What are the resulting adult characteristics of insecure avoidant attachment style?
Avoids closeness or emotional connection
Distant
Critical
Richard
Intolerant
What are the caregiver characteristics of insecure anxious/ambivalent attachment style?
Inconsistent and sometimes intrusive parent communication
over involved
What are the child characteristics of insecure anxious/ambivalent attachment style?
Dependent and withdrawn
Negative attention seeking
Lack of self confidence
Lack of assertiveness
Ambivalent interactions with caregiver
What are the resulting adult characteristics of insecure anxious/ambivalent attachment style?
Anxious and insecure
Controlling
Blaming
Erratic
He line unpredictable
Sometimes charming
What are the caregiver characteristics for insecure disorganised/disorientated attachment style?
Parent frightened by child behaviours
Either ignores child or doesn’t see there needs
Insensitive to the child’s needs or cues
Neglectful
Rejecting
Interfering/intrusive
Inconsistent/unpredictable care
Abusive
What are the child characteristics for insecure disorganised/disorientated attachment style?
Chaotic experience of the world
Moodswings
Can’t regulate emotional states
Socially intrusive
Unpredictable
Explosive
What are the resulting adult characteristics for insecure disorganised/disorientated attachment style?
Creating security
Chaotic
Insensitive
Explosive
Abusive
Untrusting
Antisocial
Few close friendships
How do we change attachment theory patterns?
Model, support, encourage emotional accessibility, responsiveness and engagement
Facilitate new and corrective emotional experiences between child and parent
Create new memories the brain responds to experience the new synaptic connections
Remember – never too late!
Brief comparison of the 4 attachment styles
Secure - healthy
Insecure
Avoidant – unavailable or rejecting
Anxious/ambivalent – inconsistent sometimes overbearing
Disorganised/Disoriented – often abusive
