Week 8-9 Article 1 Flashcards
What did earlier studies find about the relationship between maternal sensitivity and attachment?
Earlier studies showed a strong connection between maternal sensitivity and attachment, but later studies found this link to be weaker and inconsistent.
How does infant temperament relate to attachment security and maternal sensitivity in this study?
The study found that infant temperament plays a significant role in shaping both attachment security and maternal sensitivity, more so than previously thought.
What was the relationship between maternal sensitivity and attachment security in the study?
Maternal sensitivity is modestly related to attachment security, but not as strongly as originally believed.
How does infant temperament affect attachment?
Infant temperament significantly influences both maternal sensitivity and attachment security, indicating its important role in attachment development.
What did the study find about home versus lab assessments of attachment?
Both home (natural) and lab (structured) assessments of attachment produced similar results, even when considering infant temperament.
What does the study suggest about improving attachment security?
While improving maternal sensitivity (e.g., teaching mothers to be more responsive) can enhance attachment security, the overall effect is not as straightforward as once assumed.
How is maternal sensitivity best assessed?
Maternal sensitivity is better assessed when the mother is distracted by other tasks, as it highlights differences in behavior. The study used the Parent-Caregiver Involvement Scale (PCIS) to evaluate both the frequency and quality of the mother’s behavior.
What observation strategy was used in the study?
The study conducted weekly home visits from when infants were 4 to 12 months old, focusing on natural, unstructured interactions between mothers and infants to capture a wider range of behaviors.
How does temperament interact with maternal sensitivity?
The effectiveness of a mother’s response can depend on the baby’s temperament. For example, a sensitive mother may calm a distressed baby, but some babies are naturally better at self-soothing, complicating the separation of their influences on attachment.
What were the two methods used to assess attachment in the study?
The two methods were the Strange Situation (focused on stress responses during reunions) and the Attachment Q-sort (observing natural behavior to assess secure-base functioning).
How was infant temperament assessed in the study?
Infant temperament was assessed through direct observation (weekly home visits) and parent-report questionnaires (standardized tools filled out by mothers).
How was maternal sensitivity assessed in the study?
Maternal sensitivity was evaluated during mother-infant play sessions, focusing on physical involvement, responsiveness, and interaction quality. Aggregated observations from 6- and 9-month-old infants were used for higher reliability.
What were the key findings related to maternal sensitivity and attachment using the Q-Sort?
Maternal sensitivity at 6 months was positively correlated with attachment security (r = .30, p < .05). At 9 months, no significant correlation was found, but aggregated sensitivity scores showed positive relationships with security, not dependency.
What were the findings related to maternal sensitivity and attachment using the Strange Situation?
Maternal sensitivity was not significantly related to attachment classifications or the Disorganized classification, even with aggregated sensitivity scores.
How did infant temperament relate to attachment security in the study?
In the Q-Sort, temperament measures like Mood and Total Difficulty at 6 and 9 months were correlated with security.
Maternal ratings of temperament (e.g., ITQ-R Difficulty, IBQ Distress to Limits) were significantly related to security at various ages.
