caregiver-infant interactions in humans✅ Flashcards
page 5 start as card 11 + continue on page 8
define attachment
an enduring, close and reciprocal emotional bond between individuals
what can attachment be characterised by
- a desire for proximity
- sense of security when in presence of attachment figure
- separation anxiety when figure is absent
human infants are altricial; define altricial
- born at early stage of development so need to form attachment bonds with adults who will protect/nurture them
what are some examples of how infants and primary caregivers communicate?
- eye contact
- caregiverease (baby voice)
- facial expressions
describe reciprocity as a form of caregiver-infant interactions
- mutual behaviour
- each responds to the other with a similar action–> actions of one person elicit a response from other
- helps strengthen the attachment bond
how does Brazleton et al.(1975) describe reciprocity as a form of caregiver-infant interactions
Brazleton described reciprocity as a dance, where each partner responds to the other’s moves
describe interactional synchrony as a form of infant-caregiver interactions
- infants move their body simultaneously with PCG in coordinated way
- mirror other person
- includes imitating emotions and behaviours
what did Meltzoff and Moore(1977) find in regards to interactional synchrony as a form of caregiver-infant interactions
- Meltzoff and Moore found that infants as young as 2-3 weeks imitated specific hand gestures and facial expressions eg. sticking out tongue
define caregiverease
- adults who interact with infants use modified form of vocal language to aid communication
eg: high pitch, song like, slow
what are some A03 points of research into caregiver-infant interactions?
-uses well controlled procedures✅
–>valid conclusions can be drawn
-difficult to test infants behaviour in a reliable manner❌
–>more research is required
-findings do not explain why behaviours occur❌
–> not found in all cultures
-research may be sensitive❌
–> feminists may criticize as it discourages women from having career
what are Schaffers stages of attachment?
- pre-attachment (asocial) stage
- Indiscriminate attachment stage
- Discriminate attachment stage
- Multiple attachment stage
describe the Pre-attachment stage of Schaffer’s stages of attachment
- birth - 2/3 months
- behaviour towards non-human objects and humans is similar
- 6 weeks infants become attracted to other humans, preferring them to objects
–> this is demonstrated through smiling at ppl’s faces
describe the Indiscriminate attachment stage of Schaffer’s stages of attachment
- 2/3 months - 7/8 months
- discriminate between familiar and non-familiar faces
- prefer known people
- will still allow strangers to handle and look after them
describe the Discriminate attachment stage of Schaffer’s stages of attachment
- 7/8 months onwards
- develop specific attachments + staying close to particular CG
- show seperation/stranger anxiety
describe the Multiple attachment stage of schaffer’s stages of attachment
- 9 months onwards
- form strong emotional bond ties with other major caregivers
- stranger anxiety weakens
- attachment to PCG is still strongest