Attachment Flashcards

Question

Outline Ainsworths Stranger Situation

Answer 1

*100 middle class american infants and mothers *controlled ob AIM- assess strength/security of an attach betyween infant and caregiver Procedure- 7 eps- 3 mins: 1) parents enters room w child, child explores 2)stranger enters tried to interact w child- measure sr anxiety 3)parent leaves w stranger- measure sr and sp anxiety 4) parent returns, stranger leaves- measure reunion behaviour 5)parent leaves child alone- sep anxiety 6)stranger returns- sr anxiety 7) parent returns, stranger leaves

Answer 2

*secure attachment; *expores enviro- mother secure base *upset when mother leaves *avoidant of stranger- friendly when mum present *happy when mother returns *insecure- avoidant- unresponsive *explores *unconcerned by mother laving *unconcerned often avoidant of mother and stranger *unresponsive when returns *insecure-resistant- inconsistent *low willing to explore *intensly distressed when mother leaves *extreme fear of stranger *clinginess mixed w rejection on return

Answer 3

inconsistent

Answer 4

unresponsive

Answer 5

*Van Ijzerdoon= 32 studies, 8 countries, 2000 children, meta analysis *18 studies conducted in the USA *conducted: *Germany, Israel, UK, Holland, Sweden *China, Japan Findings: *insecure- av most dominant in west cultures *most common was secure- lowest per in china, highest in Britain *insecxure- res most dominant in non-west except china *150% variation within cultures than between

Answer 6

One study found that 46% secure, compsred to other that was 90% within states

Answer 7

*replicated stranger situations w 60 middle class japanese infants and mothers using same behavioural categories and procedure *68%- secure *32% insecure resistant

Answer 8

*reactive attachemnt- child unable to trust/ love others, isolated, very selfish, unable to understand needs of others, lack remorse *disinhibted attachment- children select attach figures very indiscriminately, over familiarity w strangers *cog imparremnet- low IQ, problems w conc, diff in learning new concepts and behaviours *attention seeking- Zeenah et Al

Answer 9

lack of sensitive responsiveness from a parent

Answer 10

* as usually, young kids shows stranger anxiety *caused by long periods of insti care, children adapted to having multiple caregivers

Answer 11

aim- investigate if love and nurturing care could overturn effects *longitudinal study- physical, emotional, cog developmemt assesed at 4,6, 11, 15 Sample: 111 romanian orphans adopted into british fams 3 groups: *adopted BEFORE 6 months *adopted BETWEEN 6m- 2 years *adopted AFTER 2 years compared to control group of 52 british adopted children. Findings; *when first arrived- 50% showed signs of cog imparement *4 years old- good recovery, adopted before 6 months doing weel as british adopted. *sdopted after 2 years higher levels of disinhibited attachment *age 11- adopted after 2 years- mean IQ lower than adopted BEFORE 6m who had normal IQ

Answer 12

*neg effects can be overcome by sensitive, nurturing care, so more if adoptive is earlier

Answer 13

*compared 95 romanian orphans aged betwwen 12-31 months, spent 90% of lives in institution, gto control gtp of normal romanian children *attcahment type asses using strange situation Findings: *44% of insti children showed dis attachemnt, compared >20% of control grp

Answer 14

*emotional link between caregiver and infant *both seek closeness and infant feels more secure with attachment figure *level of caregivers responsivness to signals has deep effect on infant

Answer 15

AO1: -define attachment theres 2 types of caregiver intercations, one is interactional synchrony. Interactional synch refers to infants and caregivers reposnding to signals at the same time to keep conversation going for example, the caregiver smiling and the infant smiling back. Meltzoff and Moore conducted a controlled observation viewing 40 2 week old infants, in which the researcher showed facial expressions like poutruding tongue and recorded the infants response. Using an indepndent observer they found that the was a link between infants facial expressions and researchers. Another type of interaction is reciprocity refers to a two- way mutual process between the infant and caregiver in which gthey both take turns to respond to their signals. Brzelton et al describes this process as a dance as both infants and caregiver takes time to inititate a conversation. AO3; Strengths: P- often filmed observations in a laboratory so high control over extraneous variables. E- control minimizes distractions and allows for meticulous observation, reducing the likelihood of missing any crucial details. Multiple observers can also record data, ensuring the study's inter-rater reliability and mitigating observer bias. Moreover, since babies are unaware of being observed, their behaviour remains unaffected, eliminating concerns regarding overt observation. L- Consequently, this methodology ensures high internal validity and reliable data collection in such research. Limitations: P- critics argue that its prone to bias E- infants cant speak and we dont know wther theyre actions are meaningful as infants as young as 2 weeks old have little motor coordination. E- this means that inferences must then be drawn about their behaviour, this means that a psychologist may interpret their bhaviour in a way that supports their hypothesis, for eg infant may have wind but psych may infer as smile. L- this therefore reduces the internal validity of research into caregiver interactions. Discuss: however the observer was an indepndent observer- means that less prone to rs bias. P- lacks eolocical valifity E- rs was conducted in a controlled environments such as controlled observation in which caregiver interaction is filmed. E- diff to generalise as infants bheaviour may be different than normal due to being in an unfamiliar environment, when goes back to nat environment like home, they may interact with parent more. L- therefore lowers the external validity of rs into caregiver interactions . However could say that because oinfant is too young may not notice chnage in environment

Answer 16

Support: P- strength- rs conducted longitudinally meaning that observations where repeated over long period of time with the same children. E- strength as rs doesnt have confounding variable of individual differences between children for eg a child’s natural temperament could influence how their attachment behaviors are perceived. -If used a cross-sectional design (studying different children at different ages), these differences in temperament been mistaken for differences in attachment development. L- therefore increasing the internal validity as it ensures that changes in attachment are genuinely due to development rather than pre-existing personality differences.. Limitations: P- social desirabilty E- interviews were used in which they asked mothers questions like who do they smile at etc E- mothers couldve lied about their child behaviour to present their parenting in the best light for eg say theyre distressed when they leave the room even if theyre not s o L- results may have lacked internal validity P- cultural bias- ethoncentrism E- sample were all from glasgow not able to gen findings E- rs studying non- western collectivist vultures were families oftrn work together to look after a child found that infants can form mult attachments from outset w/o forming specific attachemnt first. L- limits external validity of rs as formation of attachments may differ between cultures

Answer 17

Support: P=+- can be praised for practical applications E- as findings of Fields research that responsiveness tro childs needs, npt gender is most important when forming attachments, has been used to change policies and allowed Shared Parental leave. aloows mothers and fathers to share leave from work to care for their child within 1st year of life. E- very useful in families where father wants to take role of PCG and mother wants to return bavk to work. L- therefore rs into role of father is important. P- one strength to support Grossman's theory that the mothers role into attachment is more important is the biological basis. E- women have have high levels of oestrogen, a hormone associated with nurturing and care, whilst men produce more testorterone which is linked with dominance, aggression, and less emotional responsiveness. E- this shows that women may have been biologically predisposed to be the role of the primary attachment figure for children. L- therefore supporting Grossman's suggestion that the womans role is more important due to impacting the child's attachment in adolescence. However socially sensitive, suggesting that men are biologically less capable of nurturing due to higher testosterone levels may lead to the belief that fathers are naturally less competent caregivers. can be damaging, as it may discourage men from taking active parenting roles or make them feel that they cannot provide the same emotional support as mothers. It may also reinforce gender stereotypes and negatively influence custody decisions in court. L – Therefore, limiting the appropiatness of exp. Limitations: P- Rs to contradict Grossman's findingswas conducted by MaCallum and Gollombok. E- they gave single mother and lesbian- parent families questionnares and interviewed them to asses the cog and social development in their children . E- they found that children raised by single mother and lesbian parent families didnt develop any diffrently to the children raised by a 2 parent heterosexual familly.L- therefore supporting Field/ contradicting Grossmans findings. Discussion: however it could be argued that parents in sin mother or lesbian parent families adapt to accomodate the role played by fathers, suggesting when father present they do adapt to disctinctive role.

Answer 18

Support; P- strength- prac apps E- because principles of rs that goslings had to imprint within 12-17hrs otherwise would not imprint at all and the fact that goslings who imprint on to humans later show sexual behavipur towards humans when adult birds, shows importance of critical period in attachmnet for future relatioships. E- psych can use this info in order to promote the importance of early interactions between parents and infants, to reduce issues in later life. L- therefore important part of applied psych. Limitations: P- criyicised for animal bias as conducted on goslimgs to investigate attachment E-problem cause human behaviour is more complex than animal as human emtions and cognitive processes are more sophisticated towards their children compared to birds. E- for eg attachment in humans 2 way process as its not just the offspring who become attached but also mothers shpw emotional attachmnet. L- issues in extrapolating findings of Lorenz rs into attachmnet to humans, therefore limiting extent to which can be used to explain human attachments. P- rs bias. E- recorded own observations- may have chosen findings that support his theory of imprinting and ignore findings such as goslings that didnt imprint on him. L -therfore lowering int validity as may not be measuring effects.

Answer 19

Support: P – practical applications. E – The findings highlighted the importance of emotional care in attachment, as the monkeys preferred comfort from the cloth mother over food from the wire one. E – This led to improvements in childcare practices, such as encouraging consistent emotional support in orphanages, foster care, and hospitals, where emotional bonds are now recognised as essential for healthy development. L – Therefore, Harlow’s research has made a positive contribution to society, especially in the fields of social work and childcare, by promoting the importance of emotional nurturing. Limitations: P- criyicised for animal bias as conducted on goslimgs to investigate attachment E-problem cause human behaviour is more complex than animal as human emtions and cognitive processes are more sophisticated towards their children compared to monkeys L- issues in extrapolating findings of Harlows rs into attachmnet to humans, therefore limiting extent to which can be used to explain human attachments. P- ethical issues E- as a result of his procedures, like scaring the monkeys with a louid noise, scary mascot, lead to emotional damage, leading to a decrease in the qual of life due to being more suceptible to bullying, and having diff mating. L- therfore limiting his rs into attach for animals. However Harlow argued that the findings outweighed the psychological distress caused to monkeys, as before his rs ppl believed that attachment was due to food rather than emotional care, leading to his findings having a grand impact on society.

Answer 20

*positive reinforcements- behaviour is rewarded and then repeated to receive same reward- for eg child crying, getting food, behaviour is positively reinforced to get reward of food. *negatively reinforcemnet- doing something to get rid of neg consequence- mother feeding children to stop them crying

Answer 21

*infants attach feeder

Answer 22

Limitations: P- rs to contradict by Harlow E- harlow conducted exp investigating whether food or comfort more important in forming attachments and found that monkeys spent around 17-18hrs with cloth mother than milk. Same must be true for humans as learning theorists believe that humans and non are equal. E- shows that comfort is the most important factor in forming attach rather tha food. L- therefore contradicting theory. P- Schaffer and Emerson E- found that infants were msot likely to fotm and attachment with mother whether or not she was the feeder as attach was due to responding to infants signals and int with them. Also Field showed that best qual attach is with caregivers that responsive and senstitive to infants needs- beyond feeding infant. L- thefrore limiting as shows that infant doesnt appear to be the most important factor. P- environmental reductionism E- reduces complex human bheaviour into simple basic units of learning thru stim, response and association. Neglects holistic approach- takes acc persons culture and social context would influ and explain attach. E- eg in collectivist cultures where fam work together to look after children, children may form multiple attach from outset not just w who feeds them. L- therefore may lack validity

Answer 23

Support: P-RS to support monotropic theory and the concept of the internal working model- Hazen and Shaver E- conducted love quiz in which they studied peoples adult attach and their early childhood attach. Found that those w secure attach had happy long lasting relatioships in later life whereas insecure attach found hard to maintain relationships, many divorced. E- supports IWM as shows that early infant attachments acted as template on how future relationships shpuld be like. L- therefore increasing the validity of IWM Limitations: P- socially sensitive research. E- Despite Bowlby not specifying that the primary attachment figure must be the mother, it often is (in 65% of cases). E- Therefore, puts pressure on working mothers to delay return to work to ensure that their child develops a secure attachment. Any developmental abnormalities in terms of attachment are therefore blamed on the mother by default. L- idea of monotropy may stigmatise ‘poor mothers’ and pressure them to take responsibility. P- Rs to contradict monotropic theory by Schafferand Emerson- found evidence to support that children have multiple attach. E- found multiple attach may help children develop socially, emotionally and cognitively. E- contradicts monotropy and idea that infants have one attach thus limiting.

Answer 24

Strengths: *conducted in lab- high reliabilty able to do exp again due to standardised procedure of having 7 episodes, 3 minutes etc. Limitations: P- conducted with infants and their mothers E- it neglects to consider the attachment types to other caregivers as it assumes that all mothers are PCG However according to Fields rs fathers can also be PCG. E- therefore if the mother isnt the infants primary caregiver then the infant might show a diff attachment style than when with the actual PCG. L- therefore mloweing the int validity. P- imposed etic E- based on american child rearing principles due to the sample only including 100 american infants and their mothers, and it ignores child rearing practices in other cultures. E- for eg in germany its a common prasc for indep to be encouraged at a young age leading to insecu- av attachmenet hwich is more desribale in this culture. L- therefore stranger sit may not be appropiate to measure attach types

Answer 25

Support: P- rs by harlow E- explain procedure, had no early attachments. found that monkeys found it very diff mating and females were inadiquate mothers. E- supports bcs shows thta having negative early attach can lead to negative relatiosnhips with partenrs and even own children. Limitations: P dterministic- according to the principles of theory behaviour in later relatiosnhips determined by early relationships E- for eg neg attach will lead to person have neg attach children E- however ngeletcs individuals free will as person can have choice to seek help thru therapy allowing a change in their behaviour leading to more positive attach in the future. L- limits rs into early attach. P- based on retrospective data E- in Hazen and Shavers love quiz they studied person's attach in childhood thru a questionnare nin which theyd have to think back to early attachments, and includes forced choice descriptions in order to judge this parenting style. E- this is a limitation as their recall cpuld be inaccurate due to schemas and therefore just saying what they thought happened. L- this tyerefore lowers the int validity. P: Hazan and Shaver’s- cultural bias. E: st conducted in a Western, individualistic society (the USA), where romantic love is highly valued. In non-Western cultures, relations based more on family ties and community interdependence, rather than romantic love being the central focus. E: Because Hazan and Shaver’s participants were mainly from a culture where romantic relationships are seen as crucial, their findings may not be applicable to collectivist cultures. In those cultures, attachment and relationship dynamics may not follow the same patterns as in individualistic ones, where romantic love plays a central role in adult relationships. L: This cultural bias lowers the generalizability

Attachment Flashcards

(49 cards)