developmental psychology

Question 1

developmental psych

Answer 1

scientific study of how and why humans change over the course of life
nature vs nurture

Question 2

social developmental - attatchment

Answer 2

first human bond between infant and primary cg
intense emotional relationship - maternal bonding
specific behaviours in kids/ adults - proximity/ respond to child’s needs

Question 3

behavioural approach to attatchment

Answer 3

thought it was due to feeding
Harlow’s monkeys
actually contact and comfort over feeding

Question 4

Bowlbys theory of attatchment

Answer 4

innate need to form attachment with cg
babies are born w specific behaviours that cg are programmed to respond to
can form bonds w others - not based on feeding

Question 5

bowlbys attachment stages

Answer 5

pre attach - 0-2m - recog cg but not attached
attach in making - 2-6m - shoe preference for prim cg
clear cut - 6m-3/4y - sep anxiety from cg
goal directed partner - onwards - strong attach w others, depends less on cg and understands coming and going

Question 6

romanian orphan study

Answer 6

growing pop - no contraceptive or abortions
poor conditions for infants
overcrowded orphanages etc

Question 7

effects of romanian orphanages

Answer 7

developmental delays - emotion, intelligence
abnormal behaviour, self harm, liked strangers
harlows monkeys displayed same behaviour

Question 8

early intervention project procedure

Answer 8

12 yrs, 136 kids - romanian orphans
1/2 foster
1/2 institutionalised
control - raised by fam
assessed on physical, emotional and cognitive development

Question 9

early intervention project findings

Answer 9

more time institutionalised - worse development
low IQ, slow lang skills, abnormal emotions, impaired functions of mem, problem solving, reasoning, high psych disorders
high improvement in foster care

Question 10

sensitive period

Answer 10

child must form attachment before 2yrs
foster before 2y - at 8y brain same as non institutionalised
after - atypical brain activity and less likely to recover

Question 11

long lasting effects of institutionalisation

Answer 11

8-11y - reduction in white matter, decrease in neuronal signal
16y - reduced alpha waves a abnormal social approach
high quality foster/ adoption care is essential to prevent institutionalisation

Question 12

secure attatchment

Answer 12

secure - low anxiety, low avoidance
pos view of self and others - consistent responsive care
can rely on others

Question 13

dismissive attatchment

Answer 13

low anxiety, high avoidance
pos view of self, neg of others
- resilient, due to unresponsive care
denial of attatchment needs, intimacy, and closeness

Question 14

preoccupied attatchment

Answer 14

high anxiety, low avoidance
neg view of self, pos of others due to inconsistent caregiving
- emotionally dependant on others
low self esteem

Question 15

fearful attatchment

Answer 15

high anxiety, high avoidance
neg view of self and others - neg and low self esteem
seek social contact but scared of rejection
avoidance in adult life

Question 16

attachment in adolescence

Answer 16

16-25, bio, cog, social changes
role of the parent debated
peer influence vs parental attatchment
successful transition does not mean cut off parents
autonomy - more time w peers, romance etc

Question 17

effect of secure attachment from childhood to adolescence

Answer 17

longitudinal study
less conflict w family/ peers over other attatchments
coping skills
develop better social skills
less likely to rebel
lower teen preg
fewer mental health probs

Question 18

adult attatchment - romantic relationships

Answer 18

desirability in infants should be same as romantic partners
secure - confidence in partner, depending on others and others depending on them
anxious resistant - worry they won’t be loved, frustrated
avoidant - does not care for close relationships, not depend on others

Question 19

neuropsychological evidence

Answer 19

clear difference in brain activity

Question 20

is attachment adaptive?

Answer 20

adaptive trait, bowlby believed attachment behaviour is the same in all cultures

Question 21

cross culture

Answer 21

being secure is not always the best in all cultures, we have evolved different attachment strategies

Question 22

survival

Answer 22

group survival - depending on others in secure attachment increases chances of survival

Question 23

stress and cortisol levels in different attachments

Answer 23

lower in preoccupied and fearful
could this be a sign of less activation in fight/flight response?