Child Development Flashcards
What is the attachment theory?
Early life experiences strongly influence later adult functioning and vulnerability to psychopathology - John Bowlby
What does secure attachment do in terms of a positive internal working model?
- enhances child’s self view
- helps apply self in relation to others
- allows social competence
What does secure attachment do in terms of emotion regulation ability?
- expression and recognition skills
- avoiding anxiety, dealing with stress
What can be factors of separation during childhood?
- hospital care of children
- parental divorce or bereavement
What are the effects of failure to achieve early secure attachment?
- effect on adult relationships
- psychological health and wellbeing
When does pre-attachment occur?
0-2 months
*evidence of transnatal auditory learning (when a child hears mum’s voice he/she sucks more)
When does attachment in the making occur? And how can it be recognised?
2-7 months = children start to smile and communicate with their primary caregiver
When does clear cut attachment occur? And how can it be recognised?
7-24 months = children start to become more mobile
When does goal corrected partnership attachment occur? And how is it recognised?
24 months+ = children become more sophisticated and realise their actions can have a consequence, learn they can control the behaviour of adults to some extent
When does stranger anxiety and separation distress occur?
Stranger anxiety = 10 months
Separation anxiety = 12 months
What is an example of how infants are pre-wired to be socially responsive?
Mirroring expression of the primary caregiver
What are the functions of attachment?
Mutual responsiveness > attachment grows (to primary caregiver) > exploration grows > autonomy grows
What are characteristics of secure attachment?
child stays quite close to mum, upset by her leaving, greets positively
(separation anxiety)
What are the characteristics of insecure attachment (avoidant)?
avoids contact with mum on reunion, ok when left with stranger
What are the characteristics of insecure attachment (resistant)?
very upset by mum leaving, on return difficult to console, both seeks comfort and resists
What three characteristics are present in young children associated with attachment?
- selective attachment
- physical proximity seeking
- comfort and security
- produce separation distress
What is a primary carer’s behaviour?
- caregiver (maternal) sensitivity = perceive/interpret signals/communication in infant’s behaviour and respond
- mind-mindedness = caregivers’ tendency to treat their children as individuals with minds of their own; enables caregivers to “tune in” to what their infants may be thinking or feeling
What are the characteristics and resulting adult characteristics of secure attachment?
Infant (secure)
- distress when mother leaves, greets mum when she returns
Adult (secure)
- comfortable in relationships
- able to seek support from partner
What are the characteristics and resulting adult characteristics of avoidant attachment?
Infant (avoidant)
- does not seek mum when they return
- focuses on environment
Adult (dismissing)
- greater sense of autonomy
- tend to cut themselves off emotionally from partner
What are the characteristics and resulting adult characteristics of ambivalent/resistant attachment?
Infant (resistant)
- very upset at departure
- explores very little
Adult (preoccupied)
- fears rejection from partner
- strong desire to maintain closeness
How can attachment status change?
- infant attachment initiates pathways of development e.g. peer relationships
- attachments to others
- parenting interventions
