Chapter 1: Attachment in the early years

Question 1

Imprinting

Answer 1

A term used in ethology to describe a phenomenon observed in some species of bird where the young, soon after hatching, have a strong tendency to become attracted to a particular moving object and thereafter to follow it. Bowlby drew a parallel between imprinting and mother–infant attachment, and this idea was influential in his theory of maternal deprivation.

Question 2

Internal working model (IWM)

Answer 2

The term used by Bowlby to suggest that infants form representations of relationships early in life based, in particular, on the relationship with the primary caregiver. There are three elements: a model of the self, a model of ‘the other’ and a model of the relationships between the two. The IWM developed in infancy forms a template for future relationships, although some modification is possible.

Question 3

Maternal deprivation

Answer 3

The lack of an adequate mother experience in infancy.

Question 4

Maternal sensitivity

Answer 4

An aspect of parenting, such as quality of responsiveness to the child, associated with infants’ formation of attachments. Mind-mindedness is one component.

Question 5

Mind-mindedness

Answer 5

The ability to understand the mental states of others, which is specifically used to describe caregivers who treat their infants as individuals with minds, rather than merely entities with needs that must be met. There is some evidence for a link between a mother’s mind-mindedness and her infant’s development of theory of mind. It is one component of maternal sensitivity.

Question 6

Attunement

Answer 6

Developing this concept of ‘attunement’ has allowed more detailed investigation of the
links between attuned and nonattuned comments made by mothers on their infants’
mental states.