P1: Attachment Flashcards
Define Interactional synchrony
Coordination of micro-level behaviour (Mirroring emotions n actions)
High synchrony = higher quality attachment.
Synchrony = foundation.
Occurs at 2 weeks old
Define Reciprocity
Occurs at 3 months old
Involves close attention to each others verbal signals n facial expressions
Described as a dance
Baby takes an active role, both parties take turn initiating interactions.
Evaluate Care-giver interactions
+ control: Filmed from multiple different angles ∴rewatched n analysed also babies unaware of filming ∴ good validity
- Observation limitation: Observe hand movements or change in expression. DK mental process occurring. unsure if theres special meaning
- Socially sensitive: child disadvantaged ∵ mum leaves to work = restricted opportunities ∴ mum must stay
Describe the Role of the Father
3% = father primary attachment
75% = secondary attachment at 18months
Dad less important in long-term emotional development
Dad’s job = play n stimulation, not nurturing
Evaluate the Role of the Father
- Fatherless kids: no different to regular. e.g. gay parents = no different ∴ not as important
- Conflicting theories = no absolute answer. Both evidences shows Dad is primary n/or secondary = psychologists cannot answer themselves
- Unknown why dad’s aren’t primary: Tradition? = possible ∴ no need to act nurturing or maybe females = hormones = higher lvl of nursing, Biological drive
Describe Schaffners Stages of Attachment
-Asocial Stage: Similar behaviour to obj n humans
slight ppl preference (First few weeks)
-Indiscriminate Attachment: Display observable social behaviour, recognises/prefers familiar ppl (2-7 months)
-Specific Attachment: Separation n stranger anxiety to primary (7months)
-Multiple Attachment: Secondary attachments formed, (Majority formed by 1yr)
Describe the Experiment conducted by Schaffer n Emerson investigating Stages of attachment
60 Glasgow Babies visited monthly for 1yr n at 18months. Separation n stranger anxiety measured by asking Mum Q
Found:
50% babies showed separation anxiety to 1 adult from 25-32 weeks. Attachment to most sensitive person not most time spent
Evaluate Schaffer’s stages of attachment
+ Ecological Validity: Observations made by everyday ppl in ordinary activities = no demand = natural
+ Longitudinal Study: Good Internal Validity n no confounding variable (age). Quick version = cross-section design (multiple kids at once)
- Assessment of distress: distress not distinguished e.g. when playmate leaves ≠ primary attachment fig leaving
- Asocial Stage: described as important, babies are immobile n poor coordination = hard to make judgement. maybe social but we can’t tell
Describe Lorenz’s animal study on imprinting
Divide 12 goose eggs randomly. Half hatch with mum(control) n half with Lorenz
Observed birds n courtship
Found:
Incubator group followed Lorenz
Critical Point = few hours after hatching. Otherwise = no attachment. Sexual imprinting occurs too(template of desirable characteristics attained for mating)
Evaluate Lorenz’s animal study on imprinting
- Generalisation: Mammalian attachment system ≠ birds system.e.g. More emotional attachment ∴ cannot generalisable
- Conclusions Questioned: Found Chickens imprinted with Yellow washing up gloves. Overtime (experienced) = learned to mate with own kind ∴ imprinting not permant
Describe Harlow’s Animal study on Importance of Contact Comfort
16 Rhesus Monkeys, 2 wire model mums.
1st condition= Milk dispensed by plain wire mum
2nd condition= milk dispensed by cloth-covered mum n IRL studies preformed.Deprivation of real mum effects.
Found:
Cuddles clothe regardless of milk dispenser. Contact comfort > food. IRL monkeys = suffered more aggression, less sociable, less skilled at mating, also neglected n killed own off-spring sometimes
Evaluate Harlow’s animal study on the importance of contact comfort
+ Practical Application: Helps social workers understand risk of child abuse, how to stop n importance of attachment figures in zoos
- Ethics: Monkey generalisable to humans ∴ suffering = human-like. Harlow described wire mums = ‘iron maidens’. counter point: sufficiently important research
Explain the learning theory of attachment
Importance of food, Cupboard love
-Classical Condition: UCS , UCR….NS , CS….CS , CR
-Operant Condoning: why babies cry for comfort
Negative Reinforcement
-Drive Reduction: Hunger = primary drive
attachment = secondary ∴ primary drive = generalised to them
Evaluate the learning theory of attachment
- Counter evidence(animal studies): Lorenz - attachment retained regardless of feeder. Harlow - contact comfort > food ∴ everyone equivalent, food ≠ attachment
- Counter evidence(human studies): Schaffers stages of attachment. Primary = most responsive not feeder ∴ food ≠attachment, more factors involved
+ useful elements: many aspects of human development affected by conditioning ∴ can play a role e.g. classical conditioning = comfort
Explain Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment
-Attachment = innate(survival advantage). Monotropic = primary attachment figure, more time spent = better LAWS: 1) Law of continuity = consistent care 2) Law of accumulated separation: effects of separation adds up.
-Social Releasers: Innate ‘cute’ behaviour = gain attention from adults, purpose = activate attachment system.
-Critical Period(upto 2yrs): no attachment by then = hard to build attachments later on.
First attachment = internal working model ‘template’ of what relations are like
