4.3 Attachment and adult relationships

Question 1

What is attachment according to Sroufe and Waters ?

Answer 1

A stable affectional bond to a specific person from which one attempts to derive a sense of security

Question 2

Behavior of the caregiver in secure attachment ?

Answer 2

Responds appropriately, promptly and consistently

Question 3

In insecure-avoidant attachment, how does the infant treat the stranger ?

Answer 3

Shows no preference for the caregiver

Question 4

Behavior of the caregiver in insecure-avoidant attachment ?

Answer 4

Little or no response to the child’s distress. Discourages crying and encourages independence

Question 5

In insecure-ambivalent attachment, how does the infant use the caregiver ?

Answer 5

Not able to use them as a secure base.

Question 6

Behavior of the caregiver in insecure-ambivalent attachment ?

Answer 6

Inconsistent responses, alternating between sensitivity and neglect

Question 7

Examples of behaviors in the disorganized attachment ?

Answer 7

• Freezing
• Stereotyped behavior such as rocking back and forth
• Contradictory behaviors such as approaching but with the back turned (lack of a coherent attachment strategy)

Question 8

What does the attachment impact in later life ?

Answer 8

• Strong causal relationsihps to the later capacity to make affectional bonds (According to Bowlby)
• No determinism however. Study showed that despite insecure attachment, young adults can establish “positive relationship processes” with their partners when they have coherent representations of their early relationships.