Lecture 1 - Attachment Flashcards
Early life experiences strongly influence later adult functioning and vulnerability to psychopathology
John Bowlby
+ve internal working models
child’s self view
self in relation to others
social competence, esp peers
emotion regulation ability
expression & recognition skills
avoiding anxiety, dealing with stress
separation during childhood:
hospital care of children
parental divorce or bereavement
lack of early secure attachment
adult relationships
psychological health
0-2 months
pre-attachment
2-7 months
attachment-in-the-making
7-24 months
clear-cut attachment
24 months+
goal-corrected partnership
stranger anxiety
10 months
separation distress
12 months
Mutual responsiveness leads to
attachment growth - exploration grows - autonomy grows
Key maternal qualities
food
warmth
contact
rocking
Harlow & Harlow (harlows monkeys)
found contact, warmth, roacking more important than food
Attachments in young children
are selective
involve physical proximity seeking
provide comfort and security
produce separation distress
secure
child stays quite close to mum; upset by her leaving; greets positively
insecure
(avoidant)
avoids contact with mum on reunion; OK when left with stranger
insecure
(resistant)
very upset by mum leaving; on return difficult to console; both seeks comfort and resists
disorganised (type)
combination
positive and loved
secure
unloved and rejected
avoidant
angry and confused
resistant
secure leads to
secure
comfortable in relationships
able to seek support from partner
insecure (avoidant) leads to
dismissing
greater sense of autonomy
tend to cut themselves off emotionally from partner
insecure (ambivalent/resistant)
Preoccupied
fears rejection from partner
strong desire to maintain closeness
Minnesota Longitudinal Study
At 5-years old, insecurely attached as infants:
more reliant on teachers
more socially isolated
more often rated by teachers as passive and easily frustrated
