Child Psychology - Development of Attachment (Social) Flashcards
Background;
Bowlby, an english psychoanalyst, has looked at the idea of imprinting and the critical period. Imprinting means that when an animal ‘imprints’ or learns to recognise the characteristics of its parent (observed by Lorenz with geese). Bowlby came to believe that they serve an evolutionary purpose. In prehistoric times it would have been much more dangerous for human infants to be alone in the world without the protection of a primary caregiver, therefore those children who identified and were protected by their care giver had a much larger chance at survival. Bowlby proposed that human infants are able to determine fit parental figures by seeing how they respond to their needs.
Maternal deprivation can lead to children being unable to interact with their environment, unable to feel empathy, guilt or affection towards others. It may also lead to lower intellect due to the inadequate care the child has received.
Key Research;
The key research by Ainsworth and Bell has investigated whether infants use their mother as a secure base in order to explore their environment. The sample used in this study was 56 infants and their mothers from a white middle class background. The procedure of this study went like this; Controlled observation, independent measures design. Strange Situation Process - infant enters the room with the mother, the infant plays with the mother present, the stranger enters, the mother leaves the infant alone in the room with the stranger, the mother returns. The results showed that Securely attached = 70%, Insecure resistant = 10%, insecure avoidant = 20%. The conclusions we can draw from this study are that Attachment behaviour may be increased or decreased by the environment (nurture), but we are predisposed to seek proximity to our attachment figure (nature).
Applications;
Bowlby has suggested that unless there are signs of neglect or abuse it would be better for the families to be supported by the government rather than for the child to be taken away from their parental figures.
The hospitalisation of children also plays a large role in the children development. For example the hospitalisation of children during the 1950s was far different than now as children’s parents were allowed minimal visitation rights and the children left hospitals with severe emotional damages. Therefore now children are allowed to have their parents stay with them and the nursing staff is trained specifically on how to handle child’s emotional needs to make their stay at the hospital more enjoyable. This also could mean to adopt the Family-Centred care (FFC) where the hospital or nursery respects the wished of the child’s parents and cares for them with utmost respect for the child and the parents.
