Lecture 4: Importance of Early relationships in Infancy

Question 1

What factors affect development of attachment behaviour system

Answer 1

Parenting, child characteristics

Question 2

Define attachment. what are the 3 signs of attachment

- not only dependent on food

Answer 2

Attachment: enduring emotional tie between child and 1' caregiver. 
Involves: 
- Desire for closeness
-Sense of security 
-Distress when caregiver is absent

Question 3

How does attachment develop based on ethological theory

Answer 3

The infants emotional tie to the mother is an evolved response, based on a sensitive period (first 9 months).

This happens through a serve and return interaction which shapes brain architecture: A secure pattern of baby cry and then adult response

Question 4

What are the attachment related behaviours looked at to see if baby is establishing a relationship

Answer 4

-Social responsiveness
At birth: undiscriminating
2-6 months: preferences develop through interaction with 1’ caregiver

• Proximity seeking/ separation anxiety
  6-8 months, wanes after 14-18 months
• Stranger anxiety
  8-10 months which declines during 2nd year of life

Question 5

In reaction to the Strange situation test, what are the different types of attachment style demonstrated

Answer 5

Secure attachment: seek mother
Insecure attachment: - inconsistent care: resistant
- insensitive stimulation : avoidant, rejection/resentful
Abusive/ disorganised attachment : seek stranger

Question 6

What are the factors that support development of attachment

Answer 6

• Sensitive parenting: affected by depression, drug use
• Cultural values of behaviour in children
• Infant temperament: easy temper more positive

Question 7

How does depression in mothers impact on baby social and emotional development

Answer 7

• No difference in speech complexity & syntax, less focused on infant
• Externalising and internalising problem behaviours
• Cognitive delay
• conduct disorder
• childhood signs of depression.

This leads to a cycle where baby has less positive temperament leading to less response from parent

Question 8

What is the child’s contribution to social/ emotional development

Answer 8

• Temperament: biologically determined with correlations to twinhood
• Autism, ADD, Conduct disorder, down syndrome

Question 9

What are the 3 styles of temperament

Answer 9

• Easy child: regular routines, adapt easily, cheerful
• Difficult child: irregular routine, difficult to adapt, intense negative reaction
• Slow to warm up child: inactive, mild reaction and adjusts slowly

Question 10

What does ACE, longitudinal studies, Natural experiment romanian orphans, study teach us

Answer 10

Early adversity and deprivation may have life long health and mental effects, including relationships and life potential