CH 11. ATTACHMENT TO OTHERS AND DEVELOPMENT OF SELF Flashcards
What is self-concept?
A conceptual system made up of one’s thoughts and attitudes about oneself, including physical being, social roles, relationships, and internal characteristics
What constitutes identity?
An individual’s sense of self defined by unique physical, psychological, and interpersonal characteristics, and a range of affiliations and social roles
How is self-esteem defined?
The overall subjective evaluation of one’s worth and the feelings associated with that evaluation
What is identity achievement?
Having explored various potential identities and committing to one
What does identity foreclosure mean?
Choosing an identity based on others’ choices or values without exploring other options
Describe the moratorium phase of identity development
The individual is actively exploring various identities but has not yet committed to any
What is identity diffusion?
Lack of progress in exploring or committing to any particular identity
Define ethnic/racial identity
Beliefs and attitudes an individual has about the ethnic or racial groups they belong to
What is sexual identity?
Sense of oneself as a sexual being, separate from sexual orientation, which pertains to romantic attractions to various genders
What did Harlow’s experiments reveal about attachment?
The importance of physical comfort in developing attachment, demonstrated with infant monkeys
Describe the preattachment phase
From birth to 6 weeks, infants signal to attract comfort from others
What is the attachment-in-the-making phase?
From 6 weeks to 6-8 months, infants start responding preferentially to familiar people
Define the clear-cut attachment phase
From 6-8 months to 1½-2 years, infants actively seek contact with regular caregivers and show distress during separation
What are reciprocal relationships in attachment?
From 1½-2 years onwards, children develop working partnerships with their caregivers, playing an active role in the attachment process
Explain the Strange Situation test
A test conducted in an unfamiliar context to assess the quality of attachment by observing the child’s reactions to being separated and reunited with their caregiver
What is secure attachment?
A high-quality, positive attachment where the child feels secure and comforted by their attachment figure
Describe insecure/resistant attachment
Children show clinginess and dependency on the caregiver
What is insecure/avoidant attachment?
Children show indifference or avoidance toward the caregiver.
What characterizes disorganized/disoriented attachment?
Children do not fit into the secure, resistant, or avoidant categories and show inconsistent or confused behaviours
What are the outcomes for children with secure attachment?
They tend to have closer, more harmonious relationships with peers, positive peer and romantic relationships during adolescence, better emotional health, higher grades, and greater school involvement
