Child development - Attachment

Question 1

What is Jeffrey Arnett’s theory?

Answer 1

The transition from adolescence to adult
For people living in developed countries
The switch from role of a dependent to fellow adult

Question 2

What is John Bowlby’s theory? - the attachment theory

Answer 2

Early life experiences strongly influence later adult functioning and vulnerability to psychopathology

Question 3

What effect does secure attachment have?

Answer 3

gives positive internal working models and emotion regulation ability e.g avoiding anxiety, dealing with stress

Question 4

What effect does insecure attachment have?

Answer 4

Separation during childhood from parents can result in a lack of secure
attachment and effect psychological health

Question 5

Explain the stages in attachment development?

Answer 5

1. 0-2 months: pre-attachment
2. 2-7 months: attachment in the making
3. 7-24 months: clear cut attachment
4. 24 months+: goal corrected partnership
   Stranger anxiety occurs at around 10 months
   Separation distress occurs at 12 months

Question 6

What are the 4 key maternal qualities?

Answer 6

Food
Warmth
Contact
Rocking

Question 7

What does Harlow & Harlow’s theory say about attachment in young children?

Answer 7

They:

1. are selective
2. Involve physical roximinity seeking
3. Provide comfort and security
4. Produce separation distress

Question 8

What is Ainworth’s strange situation?

Answer 8

7 stages involving mother, infant and stranger moving in and out of room
demonstrates 4 different types of attachment:
Secure:
 child stays quite close to mum
 upset by her leaving
 greets positively on her return
Insecure (avoidant):
 avoids contact with mum on reunion
 OK when left with stranger Insecure (resistant):
 very upset by mum leaving
 difficult to console on mum’s return
 both seeks comfort and resists
Disorganised (type)

Question 9

What attachment will a positive & loved child have?

Answer 9

Secure

Question 10

What attachment will a unloved & rejected child have?

Answer 10

Avoidant

Question 11

What attachment will an angry & confused child have?

Answer 11

Resistant

Question 12

What is mind-mindedness?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is attatchment?

Answer 13

A quality of close relationships not a personality trait

Insecure attatchment= no attachment

Question 14

Can attachment status change?

Answer 14

Yes