ATTACHMENT- Introduction Flashcards
Define attachment:
A close two-way emotional bond between two individuals in which each individual sees the other as essential for their own emotional security
What are some characteristics of attachment?
Proximity- wanting to remain physically close to one another
Separation distress- becoming distressed when an attachment figure leaves their present
Secure base behaviour- even when we are independent of our attachment figure we tend to make regular contact with them, infants display secure base behaviour when they regularly return to their attachment figure when playing.
Why are animal studies used in psychology?
Attachment behaviour is common among many species of animals including humans so non-humans are studied to help us understand how interactions work
What are the practical reasons for using animal studies?
-Ease of studying across generations quickly due to faster breeding and shorter lifespans
-Having a large sample easily accessible
-Some species are more closely linked to humans than others so can show human-like behaviours
What are the ethical reasons for using animal studies?
-Studying the effects of poor attachments is unethical
so can only be carried out on non-humans
-If the research is important enough the negative impact on the animals is justified
What is the critical period?
This means that something eg. attachment has to take place or it will not happen at all (Bowlby thought that this time was two and a half years)
What is monotropy?
A warm and loving relationship with one person which is qualitatively different to any other
What is evolution theory?
Ant behaviour eg attachment that aids survival will mean that an organism survives to reproduce its genes
What is maternal deprivation?
Social, emotional and intellectual development would be adversely affected if the mother-child bond was broken in early life
What is deprivation?
An infant having the attachment with its main caregiver broken either for a short or long time
What is privation?
A child will not have formed any attachment and will lack almost all types of socialization
What is separation anxiety?
separation from the parent which can cause distress including stages of protest, despair and detachment leading to di attachment
What is reciprocity?
Mother-infant interaction is reciprocal in that they respond to each other’s signals and seek a response from the other
What is survival instinct?
An instinctive/natural trait or action which promotes survival
What is interactional synchrony?
Both mother and infant reflect the actions and emotions of the other in a coordinated way
