Child Topic 5 Flashcards
What is topic 5
Development of attachment (social)
Who are the 2 background ressearch by
Bowlby - theory of attachment
Harlow - monkey studies
Outline Harlow study
What was the method
Laboratory experiment
Surrogate mother condition
8 monkeys separated rom mothers immediately after birth d paved I cages with access to 2 surrogate mothers (one of worse and one of cloth)
4 of the moneys got milk from wire mother and 4 from cloth mother
The animals studied for 165 days
Privation condition
Monkeys isolated from birth - then put them back in with other monkeys
What are the results from the moneys with surrogate mothers
Both groups spent more time with cloth mother even is she had no milk - only went to wire when needed food
With frightening object - always took refuge with cloth mother (safe base )
The sensory response and security of a caregiver is more important than the provision of food - theory of attachment
2 results form monkeys in privation
Bizarre behaviours like rocking compulsively and clutching own bodies
With other moneys they became very aggressive and indulged in self mutilation (tear hair out and scratch and bite )
What are 2 conclusions from Harlow
For a monkey to develop normally they must have some interaction with an inject which it can cling to during the first months ( critical period )
Early maternal deprivation leads to emotional damage but the impact can be reversed I monies if an a attachment made before end of critical period
What is maternal deprivation
Failure to from an attachment with a primary caregiver within the first 18 months to 2 years
What are the key features of attachment from bowlbys theory
Proximity seeking
Separation anxiety
Happened at reunion
D
X
What was bowblyns main points (3)
Child has innate need to attach to one main attachment figure
A child needs continuous care of this main attachment figure for at least first 2 years
There are long term consequences of maternal deprivation for example depression, affectionless psychopathy and increased aggression
What was the aim of bowlbys study
To investigate the long term effects of maternal deprivation on people to see if delinquents have suffered deprivation
What was the method of bowlbys study (44 thieves )
Interviews
What was the sample of bowlbys study
Opportunity sample of 88 children from clinic he worked at (65 boys )
44 were juvenile thieves referred to him cos of their stealing, he selected another 44 who hadn’t commuted any crimes - emotional problems
What was the procedure of bowlby
Each child had iq tested by a psychologist who assessed emotional attitudes towards the test
Matched for iq and age
Children and parents interviewed about early life (by psychiatrist psychologist and social workers)
What are 2 results from bowlbys
14 children from their group identified as affectionless psychopaths and 12 had experienced prolonged separation of more than 6 months from their mothers in first 2 years of life
Only 5 of 30 not classified as affectionless psychopath had experienced separation
Only 2 prolonged separation out of 44 I control group - none psychopaths
Who was the key research by
Ainsworth and bell
What was the aim of AB
Investigate the interaction between infant attachment behaviour and other behaviours like exploration. Separation anxiety and fear of standers
What was the method of AB (3)
Controlled observation
Structured and overt
High inter rater (0.99)
What was the sample of AB (2)
56 white middle class children
49-51 weeks old
What was the procedure of AB study’s (8 steps)
1 researcher introduced parent and baby to playroom and leaves
2 parent is seated while baby plays with toys (parent as secure base)
3 stranger enters is seated nd talks to parents
4 parent leaves and stranger responds ro baby and offers comfort if upset
5 parent returns greets baby and offers comfort in necessary
6 parent leaves room
7 stranver enters and offers comfort
8 parent returns greets and offers comfort if never say and re interest in toys
How long did the episodes last in AB study
3 minutes however separation cut short if child wasn’t distressed and reunions extended if child took longer to be calmed
How was the data collected in AB
5 classes of behaviour in a 7 point rating scale for example proximity seeking and contact maintaining
What were results from AB
Children use mother as a secure base in which explore from - exploratory behaviour decreased when mother left and when stranger entered
No sig increase in crying when stranger entered but sig when mother left but not sig decrease when stranger returned so crying was cos mother left not cos of being alone
3 conclusions from AB
In threatening situations attachment behaviour increases
Absence of mother heightens attachment behaviour and lessens exploration of an unfamiliar situation
Individual differences in attachment
What are 2 applications
Attachment friendly environments
Family centred care and high quality day care
Family centred care
Implemented in hospitals - meeting soon and emotional needs of the child and also the parents - parents having overnight stays and visitation hours to maintain attachment and meet needs
Visitation from siblings and other families
Respecting Individuals choices and differences
Engaging parents in child’s care
High quality day care
Low child to caregiver ratio eg for those nder 2 - one carer to 3 kids
Each child has key worker who helps child feel safe and cared for
Familiar figure for child and become more confident to explore and safe
50% of staff have childcare qualification - staff tested well and paid well to prevent high staff turnover cos if leave constantly then attachments won’t form
