Attachment key terms

Question 1

Reciprocity

Answer 1

A description of how two people interact. Caregiver and enfant interaction is reciprocal in that both caregiver and baby respond to each others signa and each elicit a response from each other.

Question 2

Interactional synchrony

Answer 2

Caregiver and baby reflect both the actions and emotions of the other in a coordinated way.

Question 3

Stages of attachment

Answer 3

Many developmental theories identify a sequence of qualitatively different behaviors linked to specific ages. The ‘stages of attachment’ show different behaviors enfants go through as they get older in the same order.

Question 4

Multiple attachments

Answer 4

Attachments to two or more people. Most babies appear to develop multiple attachments once they have formed one strong attachment to one of their carers.

Question 5

Father

Answer 5

In attachment research, the father is anyone that takes the role of the main male caregiver. This does not need to be the biological father.

Question 6

Animal studies

Answer 6

Studies carried out on non-human animal species, either for ethical or practical reasons. ( this could be because animals breed faster so we can see results over multiple generations)

Question 7

Learning theory

Answer 7

A set of theory’s from the behaviorist approach , that emphasizes the role of learning behaviors. Their explanations include classical and operant conditioning.

Question 8

Monotropic

Answer 8

Mono means one and tropic means ‘learning towards’ . This indicates that one particular attachment is different to others and has a central importance in childrens development.

Question 9

Critical period

Answer 9

The time in which an attachment must be formed, if it to form at all. This was noted by Lorenz and Harlow as monkeys and birds had critical periods. Bowlby also proposed that babies have a sensitive period after which it is must more difficult to form an attachment.

Question 10

Internal working model

Answer 10

Our mental representations of the world, eg the representation we have of our primary caregiver. This model effects our future relationships because it carries our perception of what relationships are like.

Question 11

The strange situation

Answer 11

A controlled observation designed to test attachment security. Babies are tested on their response to playing in an unfamiliar room, being left alone, being left with a stranger and reunited with their caregiver.

Question 12

Secure attachment

Answer 12

Generally thought of a the most desirable attachment style, associated with psychologically helpful outcomes. In the strange situation this is shown by moderate stranger and separation anxiety and ease of comfort at reunion.

Question 13

Insecure-avoidant attachment

Answer 13

An attachment type characterized by anxiety and weak attachment. In the strange situation this is shown by low stranger and separation anxiety and little reaction to reunion, maybe even avoidance of the caregiver.

Question 14

Insecure-resistant attachment

Answer 14

An attachment type characterized by strong attachment and high anxiety. In the strange situation this is shown by high levels of stranger and separation anxiety and by resistance to being comforted at reunion.

Question 15

Cultural variations

Answer 15

‘Culture refers to the norms and values that exist within any group of people. Cultural variations are the differences in norms and values that exist between people in different groups. In attachment research we are concerned with the differences in the proportion of children with different attachment types.

Question 16

Maternal deprivation

Answer 16

The emotional and intellectual consequence of separation between a child and their mother or mother substitute. Bowlby proposed the continuo care from a mother is especial for normal psychological development, and that prolonged separation from this adult causes series damage to emotional and intellectual development.

Question 17

Orphan studies

Answer 17

These concern children placed in care because their parent cannot look after them. An orphan is a child whose parents have either died or permanently abandoned them.

Question 18

Institutionalization

Answer 18

The consequences of living in an institutional setting. The term institution refers to a place like a hospital or orphanage where people live for long, continuous amounts of time and there is often little emotional care. In attachment research we are interested in the effect if institutional care on a childs attachment and subsequent development.

Question 19

Childhood relationships

Answer 19

Affiliations with other people in childhood, including friends and classmates and with adults eg teachers.

Question 20

Adult relationships

Answer 20

Those relationships that a child goes on the develop in later life, these include friendships working relationships and romantic relationships including relationships with children.

Question 21

Internal working model

Answer 21

Our mental representation of the world. This model effects our future relationships because it carries our perception of what relationships are like.