The Role of the Father Flashcards
what was early research into attachment?
- focused on mother caregiver interactions
- mothers: more biologically nurturing so recognise and respond to babies needs better
what was bowlby’s view?
one primary caregiver, usually the mother, the father becomes a secondary caregiver
schaffer and emerson research
- found on 3% of babies had fathers as primary caregivers
- 27% of the babies had a joint attachment with mother and father
what was grossman’s aim?
to research how important fathers are in children’s development
grossman procedure
longitudinal study w 44 families, looked at the parents behaviour and its relationship to the quality of the children’s attachment experiences at 6, 10, and 16
grossman findings
quality of infant attachment with mothers related to emotional stability in adolescence
- suggests fathers attachment to children is less important
the quality of fathers play was related to quality of adolescent attachments
grossman conclusion
- fathers have a play and stimulation role in attachment
- well rounded teens need: mothers as primary to attach via nuturing, fathers as secondary to attach via play
Field 1978
- filmed 4 month old babies face to face interactions with parents
- found no difference in the interactions between m + f as primaries w/ babies (suggests fathers are just as able)
oxytocin
- love hormone required for bonding and staying calm
- typically higher in females
- increased production during and after birth
- allows mothers to bond with their babies
oxytocin on children
children w/ secure attachments will have higher levels of oxytocin and a better abilty to use it as a stress response
oxytocin on fathers
- fathers who are primaries decrease testosterone and increase oxytocin to bond better
- suggests men can adapt biologically to the role which is determined by cultural norms
