DEVELOPMENTAL - Attachment Flashcards
Define attachment
Close emotional a reciprocal bond between an infant and a caregiver.
What 4 characteristics did Maccoby use to identify attachment?
- Seeking proximity: desire to be close.
- Separation anxiety: distress resulting from being separated from attachment figure.
- Pleasure when reunited: relief and joy when reunited with attachment figure.
- General orientation of behaviour: the child is aware of where the attachment figure is and they feel reassurance by them being close.
How does behaviorist theory explain attachment?
Classical Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Explain classical conditioning in the context of attachment
The baby’s desire for food is fulfilled when the mother is around to feed it. The mother and food become associated. An association is made between mother and food.
Explain operant conditioning in the context of attachment
(Dollar & Miller) Babies feel discomfort when hungry. The mother feeds them removing this discomfort (negative reinforcement)
Which studies challenge the behaviorist approach?
Harlow & Harlow - Monkeys became attached to the surrogate mother that gave them comfort rather than food.
Schaffer & Emerson - 40% of babies studies did not form an attachment to their main caregiver.
What are the 7 main parts of Bowlby’s theory of attachment
1) Internal working model
2) Monotropy
3) Sensitive period
4) Adaptive
5) Social releasers
6) Innate
7) Safe base
Define ‘Internal working model’ in terms of Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment
A template for all future relationships
Define ‘Monotropy’ in terms of Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment
A tenancy for infants to form a single strong bond of attachment.
Define ‘Sensitive period’ in terms of Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment
The first 3 years of life is the time when a child is most sensitive to form attachments.
An infant must bond with in the period of time.
Define ‘Adaptive’ in terms of Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment
A preparedness to form a bond with a caregiver, this takes place in the sensitive period.
Define ‘Social releasers’ in terms of Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment
Social signals the infant performs such as cooing in order to encourage the formation of an attachment with its caregiver.
Define ‘Innate’ in terms of Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment
Everyone is born with the trait to form attachments.
Define ‘Safe base’ in terms of Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment
A strong attachment provides us with a ‘safe base’ for exploration of our environment.
Which study supports Bowlby’s concept that we are evolved to attach and that attachment is innate?
Harlow & Harlow
The baby monkeys were raised in isolation but still formed at attachment to a surrogate mother.
Which study goes against Bowlby’s idea of monotropy?
Schaffer & Emerson
Babies formed multiple attachments.
Which study supports Bowlby’s idea of early attachments acting as an ‘Internal working model’?
Hazan & Shaver
Our relationship with out parents mirrors the relationships we have later in life.
What are the 3 types of attachment?
Secure
Insecure avoidant
Insecure resistant