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Psychology > Attachment > Flashcards

Attachment Flashcards

1
Q

Attachment definition

A

Infant and caregiver develop deep, lasting emotional Botha reciprocal
Both members feel secure when close to attachment figure

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2
Q

How is strength of bond seen

A

Caregiver interactions e.g reciprocity and international synchrony

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3
Q

What is reciprocity

A

Mutual turn taking form of interaction, both caregiver and infant contribute to interaction by responding to signals and cues

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4
Q

What is interactional synchrony

A

Simultaneous interaction between infant and caregiver acting rhythmically with matching coordinated behaviour and matching emotional states

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5
Q

Examples of caregiver infant interaction

A
  1. Imitation
  2. Sensitive responsiveness
  3. Child directed speech
  4. Body contact
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6
Q

Meaning of imitation and sensitive responsiveness

A

Imitation- infant directly copies caregivers expressions
SR- caregiver correctly interpreted infants communication and responds appropriately e.g feeding when distressed

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7
Q

What is child directed speech and body contact

A

Cds- adult modulates voice by slowing down and raising pitch to keep infants attention
Body contact - physical contact e.g skin to skin contact especially first few hours of life e.g breastfeeding

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8
Q

Why has the term child directed speech historically criticised

A

Historically referred to as ‘motherese’
Gender stereotyping
Both parents and other caretakers uses speech pattern

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9
Q

Strengths of caregiver interaction evaluation meltzoff and moore

A

Meltzoff & Moore 1977-
experimenter displayed facial expressions e.h sticking out tongue and opening mouth in shock to 12-21 day old infants.
Recording shown to people blind to experiment, found infant responses matched experimenter facial expresssions
Suggests ability to observe and reciprocate through imitation present from early age

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10
Q

Strength of caregiver interaction condon and sander

A

1974
Videotaped interactions between adults and neonates
Focus on movements of neonates I’m response to adult speech
Using detailed frame by frame analysis of video recording found evidence of international synchrony between neonates and rhythmic patterns of adult speech
Results suggests from birth innate ability for social interaction

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11
Q

Weakness of research for caregiver infant interactions

A
  1. Infants cannot directly communicate thoughts or emotions, research depends of inferences considered unscientific
    Inferences are assumptions about infants internal mental state based on observed behaviour and could be mistaken e,g researcher claiming imitation is intentional however may be an unconscious reflex response
  2. Social sensitivity - childrearimg techniques including norms around caregiver- infant interactions may find life choices criticised such as mothers returning to workplace shortly after birth and cannot develop high level of interaction al synchrony
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12
Q

What are the 4 stages of attachments

A

Identified by Schaffer
1. Asocial - 0-6 weeks
2. Indiscriminate attachment. 6w-7M
3. Specific attachment 7-9 months
4. Multiple attachments 9M+

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13
Q

What is first stage of attachment

A

A social stage
Babies display innate behaviours (crying,smiling) ensure proximity to any potential caregiver
Perceptual ability limited therefore can be comforted by anyone as no preferred

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14
Q

What is second stage of attachment

A

Indiscriminate attachment
Develop ability to differentiate objects and humans and familiar and unfamiliar adults
Smiling more at familiar
Do not develop stranger or separation anxiety yet

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15
Q

What is third stage of attachment

A

Specific attachment
Form strong attachment to primary caregiver,
Separation and stranger anxiety develop

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16
Q

What is fourth stage of attachment

A

Multiple attachment
Start to form attachment with other regular caregivers e.g grandparents, uncles
Stranger anxiety decreases

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17
Q

How did Schaffer and Emerson investigate stages of attachment

A

1964
Identified stages of attachments from longitudinal observation
60 WC babies and families from Glasgow studied
First year- data collected through monthly observations and interviews will additional follow up visits at 18 months
Stranger anxiety and separation anxiety assessed
Found separation anxiety occurred most babies 25-32 weeks
Stranger distress month later
87% 18 month follow up, multiple attachments
Strongest attachment was mothers with consistent caregiver infant interaction

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18
Q

What does Schaffer and Emerson results suggest

A

Development of attachment outlined by Schaffer
Also quality of caregiver infant interaction directly impacts strength of attachment for infants and mother s

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19
Q

General strength and weakness of Schaffer

A

S- high mundane realism, observed in own homes, experience for infants were normal
Strangers visiting family home and caregiver temporarily leaving normal occurrences suggests behaviour recorded were valid
W- not generalisable, WC mothers in 1960 Glasgow. Culture not representative of uk or rest of world.
Lack temporal validity as childrearing techniques and practises changed significantly over 60 years

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20
Q

Role of the father: importance of active play

A

Engage babies in active play activities more consistently than mothers
Fathers interactions emphasise stimulation and encourage risk taking behaviours compared to comforting style of mothers

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21
Q

Role of the father as primary caregiver

A

In modern western society, mothers more likely to be in workforce, evidence suggesting if men take on role of primary caregiver, interactional style changes to be more like mother increasing capacity for sensitive responsiveness

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22
Q

What did Schaffer find about attachment types between mother and father

A

Primary attachment type is 65% mother
30% both parents
3% father alone
However 18 months, 75% infants formed attachment with father showing separation anxiety suggesting important role in infants life

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23
Q

Strength of role of father research

A

Field- 1978. Observed primary caregiver mother, primary caretaker father and secondary caretaker father interacting with 4 month old infant. Found father focused more on game playing however primary caretaker father ability to show sensitive responsiveness behaviour similar to mothers e.g more smiling and child directed speech than secondary

vessimo 2011. Observed pre school children relationship with mother and fathers then conducted follow up assessment of social interactions when child started nursery. Strong attachment to father best predictor of ability to make friends in schools suggesting important role for socialisation

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24
Q

More AO3 of father research

A

Socially sensitive- research arguining role of mother cannot be replaced by father may lead to father led\2 father household feeling they cannot fully provide for needs of infants
Economic implication- research assessing importance of fathers role may lead to legislatiom ensuring equal paternity/maternity leave. May reduce males in workforce, economic activity and pressure on businesses. Equalising maternity and paternity help address gender pay gap

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25
Q

Animal studies ; Lorenz

A

Testing imprinting
1935
Greylag goose eggs randomly divided; half with incubator with Lorenz and other hatched with biological mother
Goslings imprinted on Lorenz following him. Those hatched with mother followed her. Found goslings had critical period of around 32 hours. If gosling did not see large object to imprint in first couple of hours , loses ability to imprint

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26
Q

Harlow animal studies

A

Testing cupboard love theory- babies love mother because feed
Monkeys removed from biological mother and placed in cage with surrogate mothers
One provided comfort no milk. Other made of wire mesh provided food
Spent time with cloth mother only went to other for food
Returned to cloth when frightened
Monkeys without access to cloth mother showed signs of stress related disease
Follow up studies, Harlow found maternal deprivation caused by studies resulted in permanent social disorders as adults E.g difficult raising offspring, mating

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27
Q

What does Harlow study suggests

A

Monkeys have a biological need for physical contact and will attach to whatever provided comfort over food
Evidence against cupboard love theory

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28
Q

Why shouldn’t animal studies be used

A

Harlow findings influential. Bowlby argues Similar critical period to humans 6-30 months. If attachment not formed , permanent social problems however later research on orphans show unlike geese, period is sensitive not critical however later care can help with recovery

Humans and animals have different biology. Humans have various social and cultural experiences forming behaviour

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29
Q

Strength of animal studies

A

Practical explanations
Knowledge gained from studies later developed by bowlby applied to early childcare e.g after both immediate physical contact between mother and baby encouraged . Social service actively investigate case of infant neglect understanding long term harm

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30
Q

Learning theory of attachment

A

Dolland and miller
Cupboard love theory based on learning theory that infant attach to caregiver due to food
Due to classical and operant conditioning

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31
Q

What is classical conditioning

A

Learning due to association
Food is unconditioned stimulus, pleasure unconditioned response . As mother is present when baby is fed mother becomes associated with pleasure of being fed. Neutral stimulus to conditioned stimulus

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32
Q

What is operant conditioning

A

Pathing due to patterns of reinforcement
Positive reinforcement- behaviour is made when receiving pleasurable stimulus e.g parent crying feeding baby, will repeat crying to get food

Negative reinforcement - behaviour is made when removing unpleasant stimulus . Parents feeding behaviour negatively reinforced by baby stopping crying when fed

33
Q

How is attachment a secondary drive

A

Primary drive is instinctive, don’t learn to eat or sleep. Based on biological needs. Secondary drives are learnt e,g according to cupboard love , learn as infants want attachment because secondary drives leads to satisfying primary drive e,g hunger

34
Q

Strength of learning theory

A

Face validity, makes intuitive sense babies very more when learn crying gains attention and food
Behaviourist principles of attachment backed up long history of well controlled and search e,g Pavlov and skinner . However impossible to conduct on human babies for ethical and practical reasons

35
Q

Weakness of learning theory

A

Harlow monkey study
Monotropic theory, evolutionary explanation of caregiver infant attach,e g baby’s have instinct to attach to primary caregiver as provide security

36
Q

Stages of monotropic theory

A

Evolutionary
Social releases
Critical period
Internal working model

37
Q

Monotropic theory - evolutionary

A

Infants have innate drive to form attachment to mother and stay in close proximity.
Bowlby argues instinctual as being close to mother vital for survival as mother provides food and security

38
Q

Monotropic theory

A

Social releases - instinctively use signals social releases e.g crying smiling attracting caregiver attention
Mothers biologically programmed to find behaviour cute or distressing

39
Q

Monotropic theory critical period

A

Based on Lorenz gosling study of 32 hour critical period
Monotropic attachment must form in first 30 months.
Lack of Monotropic results in permanent negative social intellectual and emotional consequences for infants

40
Q

Monotropic theory internal working model

A

Child’s Monotropic attachment to mother provides blueprint for future relationships

41
Q

How is strength of Monotropic relationships seen

A

In safe base behaviour, good attachments will use mother as base to explore environment and show stress if mother disappears or stranger approaches

42
Q

One strength and one weakness of Monotropic theory

A

S-Bowlbys work has been impactful, inspired Mary ainsworth, applied to early childcare E.g immediate physical contact between mother and baby first few hours of birth, social services actively investigate cases of child neglect as understanding of long term harm
W- bowlbys theory criticised due to alpha bias, exaggeration of gender differences . Bowlby argues fathers role to provide recourses while mothers Monotropic attachment crucial. Reflection of 1940’s worldview ,
Lacks temporal validity due to changing nature of modern family as both parents likely to share caregiving

43
Q

Ainsworth type of attachments

A

Identified range of behaviours indication attachment strength.
Proximity to mother , safe base behaviour , stranger anxiety, separation anxiety, reunion response, sensitive responsiveness of mother to infants needs
3 attachment types, secure, insecure resistant, insecure avoidant,

44
Q

Insecure avoidant

A

Type A
Not using mother as safe base, explores freely
Low stranger anxiety
Low separation anxiety
When mother returns, indifferent. No attempt to receive comfort
Mother shows little sensitive responsiveness to infants needs

45
Q

Secure attachment

A

Type B
Use mother as safe base
Moderate stranger anxiety
Separated from mother, separation anxiety
Caregiver shows sensitive responsiveness

46
Q

Insecure resistant attachment type

A

Type C
Do not explore environment and are clingy
Seeks closeness to mother
High stranger and separation anxiety
When mothers return, ambivalent
Crave and reject attention
Mothers inconsistent with sensitive responsiveness

47
Q

Ainsworth strange situation procedure

A

106 infants 48-57 weeks
Controlled lab settings (room with toys) each stage 3 minutes
2 observers behind one way mirror recorded infants responses at each stage
Stages assessed infants proximity to mother, willingness to explore, use of safe base, strange and separation anxiety, reunion response and sensitive responsiveness of mother to infants needs

48
Q

Strange situation order

A

1) observer introduces mother, and baby to experimental room then leaves
2) baby explores freely, mother does not interact
3) stranger enters, 1st minute-stranger does not speak, 2nd minute stranger talks to mother, 3rd minute stranger approaches baby
4) stranger interacts with baby)
5) mother returns, greets baby then settling again to play
6) second separation) baby is alone
7) stranger returns
8) second reunion , mother enters and stranger leaves

49
Q

Ainsworth strange situation findings

A

Evidence for 3 attachment types correlating with level of sensitive responsiveness shown by mother
66% secure
34% insecure
22% avoidant- low sensitive responsiveness
12% resistant - inconsistent sensitive responsiveness
Findings suggests secure attachment develops due to consistent sensitive responsive mother

50
Q

Strengths of strange situation

A
  1. Highly controlled observation research study with standardised procedures and clear behavioural categories allowing for systematic and consistent approach to studying attachment , researcher have been able to replicate and compare the results
  2. Attachment styles identified have predictive validity p, securely attached better social, emotional, academic outcomes in childhood and adulthood. McCarthy studied 40 women assessed with strange situation as infants , found adults with long lasting and secure adult friendships securely attached as infants
51
Q

Weakness of strange situation

A
  1. Developed in one culture, westernised. Imposed etic assumption of own cultural standards apply to others surgut considering cultural context e,g some cultures teach independence which could be misinterpreted as insecure attachment
  2. Controlled methodology criticised for being highly artificial , lacks ecological validity as held in lab not in familiar environment like family home . Additionally, mother is aware of being observed so may show more sensitive responsiveness due to demand characteristics
52
Q

Van Ijzendoorns procedure

A

Conducted large meta analysis of 2000 infants in 32 studies from 8 countries. Each study classified attachment types of infants and mothers using strange situation

53
Q

Van Ijzendoorn findings

A

1988
Secure attachment most common in all common
Insecure resistant least common
Avoidant more common In Individualistic western cultures and resistant in collectivist non western

54
Q

Van ijizendoorn percentage findings

A

Germany most avoidant infants - 35%
Japan insecure resistant- 27%
China least secure-50%
UK; 22% avoidant, 3% resistant and 75% secure

55
Q

Van inizendoorn findings

A

Secure attachment most common, suggesting globally proffered style
Parenting styles differ. German families encourage independent behaviour resulting infants showing little distress and more classified as avoidant

Japanese mothers significant time with infants explaining extreme resistant reactions to separations

56
Q

Weakness of Van ijizendoorn simonelli et al

A

Ainsworth and ijizendoorn lack temporal validity due to changing nature family life in modern society. Simonelli Eli et al measured attachment using strange situation in modern Italian infant pairs. Found compared to historical Italian families, significantly lower secure, higher avoidant . Could suggests change is healthy coping due to demands of modern life adjusting to absent mother by joy constantly showing extreme emotion when separated

57
Q

How is the strange situation ethnocentric

A

Using strange situation In non western countries may be example of ethnocentrism , may suffer from cultural bias as styles of attach,ent more common in America and Britain culture viewed as superior ‘secure’ attachment types more common in other culture labelled as ‘insecure’ could b ainsworth taking an emic concept and imposing as an etic concept to wider world

58
Q

Strengths of strange situation

A

As dominant attachment type secure, evidence for bowlbys theory there is biological, instinctive drive to parent in a way that produces secure attachments

Meta analysis included very large sample , strength is any poorly conducted study or unusual results only have small or Ffestiniog on overall results, increasing confidence in validity of overall findings

59
Q

Monotropy

A

Term by Bowlby to describe unique attachment bond between infant and mother, mother acts as safe base which child uses to explore world and return to comfort and safety

60
Q

Maternal deprivation

A

If Monotropic attachment disrupted during critical period, e.g prolonged separation from mother, deprivation will result in negating and irreversible consequences affecting infants social, e,optional and intellectual skills
Critical period= infants first 30 months however risk of up to 5 years

61
Q

Consequences of deprivation

A

Delinquency- due to disrupted social development, behaviour outside acceptable norms e.g petty crime
Affectionless psychopathy - due to disrupted emotional development, children are unable to show caring behaviour ,empathy, little guilt
Low IQ- die to disrupted intellectual development, cognitive abilities lower than peers

62
Q

Why is Monotropic relationship with caregiver most important

A

Usually first and most Important relationship infant has
Forms template for future relationships = internal working model

63
Q

What does the continuity hypothesis suggest

A

Suggests deprivation caused by prolonged separation from mother limits ability of infant to form effective internal working model
Unsuccessful childhood and adult relationships, issues with parenting skills

64
Q

Bowlby 44 thieves study: support for maternal deprivation

A

S- Bowlby .1944 .44 thieve study, 44 child chiefs and control group of 44 emotional disturbed non thieves interviewed to assess afevtoonless psychopathy, asked about maternal deprivation during critical period. Found 14 thieves matched criteria for affectionless psychopathy compared to none of control group. Suggests link between maternal deprivation and delinquency
However, correlational study. Deprivation and deliquency linked to third factor. Children who experience deprivation may also experience extreme poverty. History of mental illness

65
Q

Weakness of maternal deprivation theory

A

Monotopy exaggerates Importance of mother as primary caregiver, focus on mother gender bias (alpha bias), underestimating role of father and other attachment figures. Schaffers work shows children quickly move on from one specific attachment, 87% of infants having multiple attachments at 18 months. Other research indicates important roles for father in early attachment, such as encouraging risk taking, developing socialisation, sensitive responsiveness role when role of primary caregiver

66
Q

Deprivation and privation

A

Deprivation not receiving suitable emotional care from primary attachment figure, can happen with frequent or extended absences
Privation- more severe. Total lack of care no ability to form attachment

67
Q

Describe institutalisation

A

When children care for by state. Unable to provide same level of physical and emotional care to young children as families, institutionalisation influence childhood development negatively

68
Q

Institutional privation in Romania

A

Fall of romanian government in 1990 lead to discover of 170,000 abandoned children living in privation in orphanages, lacked physical, emotional care for staff, malnourished and abused
Adopted into western logins families. Natural experiment conducted by Rutter conducted longitudinal study of 165 orphans adopted into British families

69
Q

Rutter procedure

A

Romanian children grouped into those adopted under six months, between 6m-2y and older than 2.
Control group of British adoptees who had not experienced privation included in study. Each group assessed at ages 4, 6, 11, 15

70
Q

Rutter main findings

A

Age 6- children adopted at sixth month shows disinhibited attachment, overly friendly behaviour to strange adults,
Age 11- over half of children showed disinhibited attachment at 6 still displayed behaviour. Adopted after 6 months significant delayed physical, emotional and intellectual development
Adopted after 24 months- avg IQ of 17 compared to 102 for adopted under. 6 months.
Some cases, case of quasi autism identified with children having problems understanding meanings of social context
Intellectual problems followed at 15 year follow up

71
Q

What does Rutgers research suggests

A

Adoption within 6 months important as date of recovery depends on age if adoption and effects of privation in institutions are severe and long lasting . However many children adopted after 2 showed recovery, suowikh critical period as argued by Bowlby is sensitive period

72
Q

Practical applications of Romanian studies

A

Research in area lead to changed policy around adoption and care in orphanages and institutional settings e,g critical workers in institutions giver higher level of care to infants. Focus on ensuring early age of adoption and adoptive families carefully screened

73
Q

Supporting evidence for sensitive period

A

Hodges and Tizard
1989
Found children adopted into caring families coped better on measures of behavioural and peer relationships than children returned to original abusive families. Goldfarb (1947) study compared 15 children had been brought up in children until beyond 3 and another group who had been fostered around 6 months. At 12 found early fostering lead to higher levels of mental ability (IQ) and social skills. Suggests adverse effects of institutionalisation can be overcome with adequate substitute care

74
Q

What is a potential issues with Rutter eras study

A

Children’s were not randomly assigned for adoption by new parents in Romania , possible bias as more sociable children picked for adoption

75
Q

How has Romanian orphan research studies supported and challenged existing theories

A

Romanian adoptees at later age have social development issues suggest signs first few months vital for internal working model
Bowlby argues if children miss this period for development, harm is pernament however data showing revivers suggests sensitive period . Damage may be severe but can addressed with later care

76
Q

Influence of early attachment

A

Internal working model- infants develop schema based on attachment with caregiver, template for future relationships
Continuity hypothesis- individuals future relationships follow pattern based on IWM. Friendships, romantic partners, relationships with children
Maternal deprivation- disrupted attachment in critical period, emotional, social, intellectual development ensuring quality of adult relationships
Attachment style - hazan and shaver- adult relationship based on attachment style, secure more social capable in childhood and adulthood due to effective internal working model

77
Q

Influence of early attachment on adulthood and childhood . hazan and shaver

A

620 pp’s responded to newspaper love quiz , questions included feelings on romance and categorised pp adult relationships styles into secure (who looked for balance between closeness and independence), avoidant (avoided intimacy) and resistant (unable to cope with independence) . 56% secure s25% avoidant, 19 anxious
Correlation between adult and child attachment types
Secure- long lasting , less likely to divorce
Insecure- more loneliness
Link between early and adult relationship

78
Q

Influence of early attachment and adult relationship Myron Wilson

A

Assessed 196 children avg age 9 for indications of bullying o victimhood as well as assessing parenting style .
Found those assessed as bullies had low scores of parental warmth and high scores in parental neglect
Those scores high on parental punitiveness (punishments)
Reluctantly suggests parental attachment styles can directly influence childhood relationships with peers

79
Q

Weakness of research into early attachment on adult relationships

A
  • Reliance on self exporting infant relationships reduces validity of research, early infant relationships may not be accurately recalled due to reconstructive nature of memory or reported innacurately due to demand characteristics or social desirability bias
    -kagans temperament hypothesis suggests infant and adult infants are relationships linked but due to high or low reactive temperament
    high reactivity results= distresses babies who grow into inhibited and anxious adults
    Low reactive= outgoing, low distress as adult and children
    Biological explanation suggests attachment style links but without need for internal working model

Psychology (11 decks)

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