Definitons Flashcards
What is a primary attachment figure
The person who has formed the closest bond with a child.
Who is usually the primary attachment figure?
The biological mother
What is separation anxiety?
The distress shown when an infant is separated from their caregiver
What is Stranger anxiety?
The distress shown by an infant when approached or picked up by someone who is unfamiliar.
What is imprinting?
An innate readiness to develop a strong bong with the mother which takes place during a specific time in development (probably in the first few hours after birth / hatching) if it doesn’t happen at this time it probably would never happen.
Define classical conditioning
Learning through association
Define operant conditioning
Learning through reinforcement.
Define social learning theory
Learning through observing others and imitating behaviours that are rewarded.
What is a continuity hypothesis
The idea that emotionally secure infants grow up to be emotionally secure, trusting and socially confident adults.
What is the critical period?
A biologically determined period of time where certain characteristics can develop. Outside this period development isn’t possible.
What is the internal working model?
An internal framework theorised by Bowlby’s which is formed by a child’s interaction with their primary caregiver that remains as a reference for understanding the world. Which allows individuals to predict and control their environment.
What does the internal working model relate to in attachment?
To the individuals expectations about relationships.
What is Bowlby’s monotropic theory?
The idea that attachment is a result of evolutionary behaviours towards a primary caregiver.
Define the insecure - avoidant attachment style
A type of attachment which describes children who show low levels of anxiety in the presence of strangers and the absence of their caregiver. Upon the return of their caregiver the child shows no interest in receiving comfort. Children with this attachment type tend to avoid social interaction and intimacy with others.
Define the insecure - resistant attachment type?
A type of attachment which describes infants that show extreme anxiety in the presence of strangers and absence of the caregiver. The child will resist comfort upon the return form their caregiver. Infants with this attachment type will both seek and reject intimacy and social interaction.
