Unit 1 - developmental psychology key words Flashcards
Attachment
An emotional bond between 2 people
A 2 way process that endures over time
Leads to certain behaviours such as clinging and proximity-seeking
Classical conditioning
Part of learning theory
A new response - CR (conditioned response) is learned when a NS (neutral stimulus) is associated with an UCS (unconditional stimulus)
Initially the UCS produced an UCR (unconditioned response).
After learning, the NS becomes a CS (conditioned stimulus) which produced a CS (conditioned stimulus)
Learning theory
Name given to group of explanations - Classical and operant conditioning
Explains in terms of learning rather than inborn techniques (biological/evolution approach) or higher order thinking (cognitive approach)
Operant conditioning
Part of learning theory
Each time you do something and it results in a pleasent consequence, the behaviour is ‘stamped in’ reinforcement
If you do something that results in unpleasent consequences (punishment) then you’re less likely to repeat that behaviour
1 - Reinforcer
2 - Primary reinforcer
3 - Secondary reinforcer
1 - Reinforcer = any that is experienced rewarding.
2 - Primary reinforcer = an innate reinforcer
3 - Secondary reinforcer = one that is acquired through experience
Continuity hypothesis
The view that there is a link between an infant’s early attachment relationship and later behaviour
Internal working model (IWM)
Cluster of concepts about relationships
SHORT TERM gives the child an insight into the caregiver’s behaviour
LONG TERM, it acts as a template for future relationships because it generates expectations about how people behave
Monotropy
Idea that 1 relationship that the infant has with his/her primary attachment figure is of special significance in emotional development
Primary attachment figure (PAF)
Person who has formed the closest bond with a child
Demonstrated by the intensity of the relationship
It’s usually the child’s biological mother, but could be an adoptive mother, a father…
Secondary attachment figure (SAF)
Acts as a kind of emotional safety net
Contributes to social development
Sensitive period
A biologically determined period of time during which a child is particularly sensitive to specific forms of stimulation (around 3-6 months of age)
Resulting in the development of a specific response or characteristic
Social rekeasers
A social behaviour or characteristic which elicits a caregiving reaction
Temperament hypothesis
The view that attachment type can be explained in terms of an infant’s innate temperament rather than caregiver sensitivity
Insecure attachment (IA)
Develops as a result of caregiver’s lack of sensitive responding to an infant’s needs
May be associated with poor cognitive and emotional development
Insecure avoidant
Type?
Strange situation - Type A
Infants are willing to explore and unresponsive to mother’s return; they generally avoid social interaction and intimacy with others
Insecure resistant (insecure ambivalent)
Type?
Strange situation - Type C
Infants who are less interested in exploring and show distress on mother’s return; generally they both seek and reject intimacy and social interaction
Secure attchment (SA)
Type?
Strange situation - Type B
Willing to explore, easy to soothe, high stranger anxiety
Infant is comfortable with social interaction and intimacy
Related to healthy subsequent cognitive and emotional development
Develops as a result of sensitive responding by caregiver to the infant’s needs
Insecure - disorganised
Infants who lack consistent patterns of attachment behaviour
Disinhibited
Infants who display affection to strangers and may be attention - seeking
1 - Separation anxiety
2 - Stranger anxiety
1 - Distress shown by an infant when separated from his/her attachment figure
2 - Distress shown by an infant when approached by an unfamiliar person
Strange situation
Method to assess strengths of attachment
Conducted in a novel environment
Involves 8 episodes
Infants behaviour observed as mother leaves and returns, and when stranger is present
Measures attachment in terms of stranger anxiety and seperation anxiety
