attachment Flashcards
(171 cards)
1
Q
What is the definition of infancy?
A
The period of a child’s life before speech begins, usually the first one to two years.
2
Q
What is non-verbal communication in the context of caregiver-infant interactions?
A
Communicating without using words and sometimes without sounds.
3
Q
How do non-verbal interactions influence attachment formation between an infant and caregiver?
A
The sensitivity of each to the other’s signals determines the formation of attachment; greater sensitivity leads to a deeper relationship.
4
Q
What is attachment according to Schaffer (1993)?
A
A close emotional relationship between two persons characterised by mutual affection and a desire to maintain proximity.
5
Q
What are the four key behaviours of attachment identified by Maccoby (1980)?
A
Seeking proximity to the primary caregiver
Distress on separation
Pleasure on being reunited
Using the caregiver as a safe base for exploration
6
Q
What is reciprocity in caregiver-infant interactions?
A
Responding to an action with another action; one partner’s actions cause a response from the other.
7
Q
How do infants display reciprocity from birth?
A
Infants move in a rhythm with their caregivers, similar to a conversation where turns are taken.
8
Q
How does reciprocity help build communication skills in infants?
A
It lays the foundation for later communication by creating a regular rhythm that allows the caregiver to anticipate and respond to the infant’s behaviour.
9
Q
What is interactional synchrony?
A
When the mother and infant mirror each other’s facial and body movements, moving in a synchronised pattern.
10
Q
How does interactional synchrony differ from reciprocity?
A
Interactional synchrony involves imitation, while reciprocity involves a response that can differ from the original action.
11
Q
What does Meltzoff and Moore’s (1977) study suggest about interactional synchrony?
A
There is an association between infant behaviour and adult models, supporting the idea that interactional synchrony is intentional.
12
Q
What was the procedure of Meltzoff and Moore’s (1977) study?
A
Adults displayed facial expressions or hand gestures, and the infants’ responses were filmed and assessed by independent observers.
13
Q
How was inter-observer reliability ensured in Meltzoff and Moore’s (1977) study?
A
Observers scored behaviour independently, and the reliability scores were greater than 0.92.
14
Q
What were the findings of Meltzoff and Moore’s (1977) study?
A
Infants as young as two to three weeks old imitated specific facial and hand gestures.
15
Q
What is a strength of using controlled observations in research on caregiver-infant interactions?
A
Controlled conditions allow fine details of behaviour to be recorded and analysed, increasing internal validity.
16
Q
Why might controlled observations lack ecological validity?
A
The controlled environment may not reflect real-world infant behaviour, limiting generalisability.
17
Q
What are the real-life implications of studying reciprocity and interactional synchrony?
A
These interactions are crucial for developing empathy, moral reasoning, and language, highlighting the importance of parental responsiveness.
18
Q
What did Isabella (1989) find about the relationship between interactional synchrony and attachment quality?
A
High levels of synchrony were associated with better quality attachments.
19
Q
Why is it difficult to establish cause and effect in studies on interactional synchrony?
A
The research is correlational, so it’s unclear whether synchrony causes quality attachment or vice versa, or if other factors like infant personality are involved.
20
Q
What was the aim of Schaffer and Emerson’s (1964) study?
A
To study the development of attachments in infants.
21
Q
What was the sample size and demographic in Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
A
Sixty infants from mainly working-class homes in Glasgow.
22
Q
At what ages were the infants studied in Schaffer and Emerson’s research?
A
From five to twenty-three weeks until the age of one year.
23
Q
How frequently were the mothers visited in the study?
A
Every four weeks.
24
Q
What did mothers report during the visits?
A
Their infant’s response to separation in seven everyday situations, the intensity of protests, and the target of protests.
25
How was the intensity of protests measured?
On a four-point scale.
26
What was measured during the visits to assess stranger anxiety?
The infant’s response to the interviewer.
27
What are the four stages of attachment identified by Schaffer and Emerson?
Indiscriminate attachments
Beginnings of attachment
Discriminate attachment
Multiple attachments
28
What characterises the indiscriminate attachment stage?
Similar responses to all objects, with a preference for social stimuli toward the end of this stage.
29
What role do reciprocity and interactional synchrony play in the indiscriminate stage?
They help establish the infant’s relationships with others.
30
What is the main feature of the beginnings of attachment stage?
General sociability, where infants prefer human company but do not show stranger anxiety.
31
What marks the discriminate attachment stage?
Separation anxiety, joy at reunion, and stranger anxiety, indicating a specific attachment.
32
What factors did Schaffer and Emerson find critical for forming a primary attachment?
The quality of the caregiver's responsiveness and interaction, not the quantity of time spent.
33
What percentage of infants' first specific attachment was to their mother?
65%.
34
What percentage of infants' fathers were the first sole object of attachment?
3%.
35
What is the main feature of the multiple attachments stage?
Infants form secondary attachments to others, such as relatives and friends.
36
What percentage of infants had multiple attachments within one month of forming their first attachment?
29%.
37
What was the percentage of infants with multiple attachments by one year of age?
78%.
38
What was the main conclusion of Schaffer and Emerson's study?
Infants form multiple attachments after their specific attachment to the primary figure.
39
Why is the data from Schaffer and Emerson’s study potentially unreliable?
It relied on mothers’ reports, which could be biased or inaccurate.
40
Why does the study lack temporal validity?
It was conducted in the 1960s, and societal roles in childcare have changed significantly since then.
41
Why is the sample considered biased?
It was from a working-class population in an individualistic society, limiting generalisability.
42
What is Bowlby’s view on multiple attachments?
He believed infants form one special emotional relationship, with secondary attachments being important for different reasons.
43
What did Rutter (1995) argue about attachments?
All attachments are equivalent and contribute to an infant’s attachment type.
44
Why is the status of multiple attachments unclear?
There is debate over whether secondary attachments are as important as primary ones.
45
What is the expectation in Western cultures regarding fathers’ roles in bringing up children?
Fathers are expected to play a greater role in raising children due to societal changes, such as more mothers working full-time.
46
How do fathers and mothers differ in their roles with children?
Mothers typically adopt caregiving and nurturing roles, while fathers are more likely to act as playmates and encourage risk-taking through physical play.
47
What percentage of fathers were found to be the first sole object of attachment according to Schaffer and Emerson?
Only 3% of fathers were the first sole object of attachment.
48
What correlation did Ross et al. (1975) find between the number of nappies a father changed and attachment strength?
They found a positive correlation, meaning fathers who changed more nappies had stronger attachments to their children.
49
Which hormones are associated with caregiving behaviours and bonding in mothers?
Oestrogen and oxytocin are linked to caregiving behaviours and bonding.
50
What social factors might discourage men from being primary attachment figures?
Gender stereotypes and societal expectations, such as the idea that being sensitive is "feminine," discourage men from being primary caregivers.
51
How might a father’s lack of sensitivity benefit a child’s development?
It encourages children to develop problem-solving and communication skills, fostering cognitive development.
52
Why are findings on the role of the father inconsistent?
Some research focuses on fathers as primary attachment figures, while others study them as secondary attachment figures, making comparisons difficult.
53
What did McCallum (2004) find about children raised without a father?
Children raised by single mothers or in same-sex families did not develop any differently than those in two-parent households.
54
How does Field’s research challenge the idea that gender determines caregiving behaviours?
Field found that primary caregiving fathers adopted behaviours similar to mothers, such as spending more time smiling, imitating, and holding their babies.
55
What economic implications are associated with the increasing number of stay-at-home fathers?
Families can choose the parent with the higher salary to return to work, which can increase household income and strengthen the economy.
56
How might economic recessions have contributed to the rise in stay-at-home dads?
Male-dominated industries such as construction and manufacturing recover more slowly after recessions, leading more fathers to stay home while mothers return to work.
57
What age group of infants did Ainsworth & Bell (1970) study in the Strange Situation?
Infants aged 12-18 months.
58
What is the Strange Situation (SS)?
A controlled observation consisting of seven 3-minute episodes to measure infant attachment.
59
What are the key behaviours recorded during the Strange Situation?
Separation anxiety, willingness to explore, stranger anxiety, and reunion behaviour.
60
What is the first step of the Strange Situation procedure?
The caregiver and infant enter the lab with attractive toys and comfortable furniture.
61
How does the behaviour of infants with Type A (Avoidant) attachment manifest during the Strange Situation?
The infant is not concerned by the mother’s absence, avoids contact with her at reunion, and does not prefer the mother over the stranger.
62
What is the characteristic behaviour of infants with Type B (Secure) attachment?
The infant explores when the mother is present, is distressed when she leaves, but is quickly comforted upon her return, preferring the mother over the stranger.
63
How do infants with Type C (Resistant/Ambivalent) attachment behave in the Strange Situation?
They explore very little, are wary of the stranger, are very upset when the mother leaves, and are angry when she returns, both seeking and rejecting contact.
64
What did Ainsworth & Bell conclude about attachment types in American children?
Most American children are securely attached, with mothers' behaviour influencing the attachment type.
65
What evidence supports the high test-retest reliability of the Strange Situation?
A study in Germany found 78% of children were classified the same at 1 and 6 years of age, with changes linked to changes in family structure.
66
What is one criticism regarding the internal validity of the Strange Situation?
The SS may not measure attachment type but instead could reflect innate temperament or the child's vulnerability to stress.
67
How does the temperament hypothesis challenge the validity of the Strange Situation?
Some infants' behaviour in the SS may reflect their inherent personality traits, such as being naturally independent or more prone to crying, rather than their attachment type.
68
How might previous experiences affect an infant’s behaviour in the Strange Situation?
An infant’s response may reflect their previous experience with separation from the mother or familiarity with strangers, as seen with Japanese infants being more resistant due to rare separations.
69
How could demand characteristics of the mother affect the internal validity of the Strange Situation?
Mothers may alter their behaviour during the observation to appear more nurturing or to meet perceived expectations, potentially introducing bias.
70
What issue does the Strange Situation have regarding population validity?
The original study was conducted with middle-class American infants, so the findings may not generalise to other social classes or cultures.
71
What is the problem of the Strange Situation being ethnocentric?
The study’s findings may not generalise to other cultures, as it was conducted in America and may not apply to infants from different cultural backgrounds.
72
What is the concern regarding the imposed etic approach in the Strange Situation?
The Strange Situation was designed for American infants and may not be valid for assessing attachment in other cultures, as different cultures have different norms.
73
What ethical issue is associated with the Strange Situation?
There is a lack of protection from psychological harm, as some infants become upset, which is also distressing for the mothers.
74
How might mothers feel uncomfortable during the Strange Situation?
Mothers may feel embarrassed if their child is rated as insecure or if the situation makes them feel uneasy.
75
What method did Van Ijzendoorn & Kroonenberg (1988) use to compare results of the Strange Situation across different cultures?
They used a meta-analysis.
76
How many studies and countries did Van Ijzendoorn & Kroonenberg examine in their meta-analysis?
They examined data from 32 studies across 8 countries, involving 2000 strange situations.
77
What is the most common attachment type found across all cultures in the Strange Situation?
Secure attachment.
78
Which attachment type was particularly common in Germany?
Avoidant attachment (35%).
79
Which cultures showed high levels of resistant attachment?
Japan and Israel.
80
What did Van Ijzendoorn & Kroonenberg conclude about attachment across cultures?
There are striking similarities between cultures, with secure attachment being the most common, and variation within cultures being 1.5 times greater than variation between cultures.
81
What cultural explanation did the study suggest for Japan’s higher rates of resistant attachment?
Japanese mothers rarely leave their infants, so the Strange Situation may have been particularly stressful when the mother left.
82
How does the study explain the high rate of avoidant attachment in Germany?
German culture encourages independence and maintaining interpersonal distance, which may reflect in the high avoidant attachment rather than insecurity.
83
What is one limitation of the meta-analysis regarding cross-cultural validity?
The Strange Situation was designed for American infants and may not be valid for assessing attachment in other cultures, which is known as an imposed etic.
84
How does the Israeli kibbutz system explain the high level of resistant attachment found in Israeli infants?
Israeli infants were not used to strangers but were accustomed to separation from their mothers, so their anxiety was triggered more by the stranger’s entry rather than the mother’s departure.
85
What evidence suggests that the Strange Situation may lack internal validity?
The SS may reflect innate temperament differences (temperament hypothesis), where some infants are naturally more independent or friendly, affecting their behaviour.
86
How does prior experience with separation affect infants' behaviour in the Strange Situation?
Infants' reactions may reflect their previous experiences with separation from the mother or familiarity with strangers, rather than their attachment type.
87
How might demand characteristics of the mother influence the internal validity of the Strange Situation?
Mothers may alter their behaviour during the observation to appear more nurturing, potentially introducing bias.
88
What is a criticism regarding the methodological issues of the meta-analysis conducted by Van Ijzendoorn & Kroonenberg?
Half of the studies included were from America, which may have biased the overall averages, making them not fully representative of all cultures.
89
Why is the sample size in some countries considered a limitation in the meta-analysis?
In some countries, such as China, the sample sizes were too small (e.g., only 36 infants), which makes it difficult to generalise to the entire population.
90
What is the problem of using the Strange Situation to assess attachment across different cultures?
Different cultures have different norms, so the Strange Situation may not be an appropriate tool for assessing attachment in all cultures, affecting its cross-cultural validity.
91
What was the aim of Lorenz's study?
To investigate imprinting in animals.
92
What is imprinting?
Imprinting is an innate readiness to form a strong bond with the mother during a specific period after birth or hatching.
93
What procedure did Lorenz use in his study?
Lorenz divided a clutch of gosling eggs into two groups: one group was with their biological mother, and the other group was placed in an incubator where Lorenz was the first moving object they saw.
94
What were Lorenz's findings?
The goslings imprinted on Lorenz and followed him, showing no recognition of their biological mother.
95
What is the critical period for imprinting?
Imprinting must occur during the first 2 days after birth or hatching.
96
What effect did imprinting have on the animals?
It influenced mate preferences, as animals imprinted on objects they encountered during this critical period and would later try to mate with similar objects.
97
What conclusion did Lorenz reach from his study?
Lorenz concluded that imprinting occurs during a critical period and is crucial for attachment formation.
98
What is a criticism of Lorenz’s study regarding generalisation to humans?
Animal studies like Lorenz’s cannot be generalised to humans due to differences in cognitive complexity, brain maturity, and attachment development.
99
What supporting evidence was found by Guiton in relation to imprinting?
Guiton found that chicks imprinted on yellow rubber gloves used for feeding and later tried to mate with the gloves.
100
What did Guiton’s research show about imprinting?
Imprinting on non-living objects can occur, and it can also be reversed, suggesting that the process is more flexible than Lorenz originally thought.
101
What was the aim of Harlow’s study?
To investigate whether attachment is based on comfort or feeding.
102
What was the procedure of Harlow’s study?
Harlow placed infant rhesus monkeys in a cage with two artificial mothers: one made of wire that provided food, and one covered in cloth that provided comfort. The amount of time spent with each mother was recorded.
103
What were Harlow’s findings?
Monkeys preferred the cloth-covered mother, even when she did not provide food, showing that comfort, not food, was the key factor in attachment.
104
What did Harlow’s study suggest about the role of comfort in attachment?
Comfort and contact were more important than feeding in the development of attachment.
105
What did Harlow observe about the long-term effects of deprivation from a mother?
The monkeys showed abnormal social and sexual behaviour, such as freezing or fleeing when approached by other monkeys, and they did not show normal mating behaviour.
106
What critical period did Harlow identify in his study?
Monkeys could recover from maternal deprivation if they interacted with their peers before 3 months of age, but those deprived for more than 6 months could not recover.
107
What criticism is made about the artificial 'mothers' in Harlow’s study?
The two artificial mothers had different heads, which could have acted as a confounding variable, potentially affecting the monkeys' preference.
108
Why can't Harlow’s study be generalised to humans?
Humans have more complex thought processes and conscious decision-making, so animal studies may not fully reflect human attachment processes.
109
What ethical issues were raised in Harlow's study?
The monkeys were emotionally harmed, showing lasting difficulties in forming relationships with peers due to their deprivation.
110
Why can Harlow’s study be justified despite ethical concerns?
The study has significantly advanced our understanding of attachment and has led to better care for both human and primate infants.
111
What does the Learning Theory argue about attachment?
Attachment is learned through classical and operant conditioning, not innate.
112
What is classical conditioning in the context of attachment?
Classical conditioning involves learning by association, where a baby associates the person providing food with pleasure, making them a conditioned stimulus and forming an attachment bond.
113
What is operant conditioning in the context of attachment?
Operant conditioning involves learning through rewards. The mother becomes a secondary reinforcer because she provides food, which reduces the infant's hunger drive, leading to attachment.
114
What is the main idea behind classical conditioning in attachment?
The baby associates the mother with pleasure because she provides food, and thus the mother becomes a source of pleasure and attachment.
115
What is the main idea behind operant conditioning in attachment?
The infant becomes attached to the mother because she reduces the infant's hunger drive by providing food, which is rewarding.
116
What is a strength of the Learning Theory?
It is based on scientific experiments, such as Pavlov’s dogs and Skinner’s rats, which were conducted in controlled lab conditions, allowing for high control of extraneous variables and cause-and-effect inferences.
117
What is a criticism of the Learning Theory regarding feeding and attachment?
The theory suggests attachment is based on feeding, but Harlow’s (1959) study with rhesus monkeys showed that they preferred comfort from a cloth-covered mother, even when the wire mother provided food.
118
What evidence challenges the Learning Theory’s idea that feeding leads to attachment?
Schaffer & Emerson (1964) found that in 40% of cases, infants were more attached to adults who provided stimulation and responsiveness, rather than those who fed them.
119
What is a final criticism of the Learning Theory?
It is too simplistic and reductionist, as it reduces the complex behaviour of attachment to learning through rewards and association, without considering innate factors or other theories like evolutionary theory.
120
What is Bowlby’s (1969) theory of attachment based on?
Bowlby’s theory is based on imprinting and suggests that attachment is an innate and adaptive process that evolved to promote survival.
121
Why does Bowlby argue that attachment promotes survival?
Attachment ensures short-term survival by encouraging proximity and safety and long-term survival by forming internal working models (IWMs) that help with future relationships and reproduction.
122
What is the role of social releasers in attachment, according to Bowlby’s theory?
Social releasers, like crying and smiling, encourage a response from others, ensuring the survival of the infant by prompting caregiving behaviours.
123
What is the internal working model (IWM) in Bowlby’s theory?
The IWM is a template for future relationships, formed based on early attachment experiences, influencing how we behave in adult relationships.
124
What is the monotropy hypothesis in Bowlby’s theory?
Monotropy suggests that infants have a hierarchy of attachments, with one primary attachment figure at the top, which forms the basis of the IWM.
125
What is the critical period in Bowlby’s theory of attachment?
The critical period is the time (up to 2.5 years) during which a child must form an attachment, or they may suffer long-term damage.
126
What research supports the internal working model (IWM)?
Hazan & Shaver (1987) found that adult romantic relationships were linked to childhood attachment styles, supporting the idea that early attachment experiences influence adult relationships.
127
What are some criticisms of the love quiz used by Hazan & Shaver?
The love quiz has methodological issues, including reliance on retrospective data, social desirability bias, and a biased sample of participants, which may not represent the wider population.
128
What other factors may influence later relationships besides the internal working model (IWM)?
Factors like childhood experiences (e.g., divorce, cheating) and innate temperament may also play a role in shaping later relationships.
129
What evidence supports the monotropy idea in Bowlby’s theory?
Cross-cultural research by Tronick et al. (1992) found that Efe tribe infants, despite being cared for by multiple women, showed a preference for their mothers as their primary attachment figure.
130
What evidence refutes the monotropy idea?
Some argue that different attachments serve different needs and that multiple caregivers, each providing unique support, can be equally important for a child's development.
131
What criticism is there of the critical period in Bowlby’s theory?
Research has shown that children adopted after the critical period can still form attachments, suggesting that the critical period may be more of a sensitive period rather than an absolute cut-off point.
132
What is the continuity hypothesis in Bowlby’s attachment theory?
The continuity hypothesis suggests that early relationships with caregivers provide a foundation for later adult relationships and influence the way we conduct future relationships.
133
What is an internal working model (IWM) in the context of attachment theory?
An IWM is a template formed in childhood based on early attachment experiences, which shapes expectations and behaviors in future relationships.
134
What two attitudes make up an attachment style, according to Bowlby?
An attachment style consists of self-esteem (attitude about oneself) and interpersonal trust (attitude about others).
135
How do secure attachment and insecure attachment differ in terms of attitudes and behaviours?
Secure attachment is associated with high self-esteem and trust in others, while insecure attachment involves low self-esteem and distrust.
136
What are the three attachment styles identified by Ainsworth et al. (1978)?
The three attachment styles are secure attachment, insecure/avoidant attachment, and insecure/resistant attachment.
137
How does the continuity hypothesis affect childhood friendships?
The continuity hypothesis suggests that early attachment influences later childhood social behavior, with securely attached children being more socially competent and empathetic.
138
What supporting evidence exists for the continuity hypothesis affecting childhood friendships?
The Minnesota parent-child study found continuity between early attachment and later social behaviour, with securely attached children being more popular and socially competent.
139
What does evidence about neglect or frequent caregiver changes suggest about the continuity hypothesis?
Children who experience neglect or frequent changes of caregivers may develop attachment disorder, showing that negative early experiences can lead to poor social interactions in childhood.
140
How does the continuity hypothesis relate to parenting skills?
The theory suggests that early attachment influences later parenting skills. For example, mothers raised in care may struggle to interact effectively with their children due to a lack of an IWM.
141
What evidence supports the continuity hypothesis in relation to parenting?
Harlow’s study on motherless monkeys showed that those without early attachment struggled to parent their own offspring, supporting the idea that early attachment influences later parenting.
142
What is a criticism of the continuity hypothesis regarding determinism?
The continuity hypothesis is criticised for being deterministic, suggesting that early experiences will always determine future relationships, which may not be the case for all individuals.
143
What is a criticism of the continuity hypothesis regarding social sensitivity?
The theory can be socially sensitive as it implies that poor parental interactions will inevitably lead to later relationship problems, potentially blaming parents for children's future difficulties.
144
How is the continuity hypothesis reductionist?
The theory is reductionist because it focuses solely on nurture (caregiver behavior) and does not consider the role of nature, such as innate temperament, in shaping adult relationships.
145
What does the temperament hypothesis argue in contrast to the continuity hypothesis?
The temperament hypothesis suggests that an individual’s innate temperament, rather than early attachment, determines how well they form relationships later in life.
146
What is the difference between separation and deprivation in attachment theory?
Separation refers to the infant being separated from a caregiver, while deprivation occurs when a child has formed an attachment but is separated from the attachment figure, causing bond disruption.
147
What is Bowlby’s maternal deprivation hypothesis?
Bowlby’s maternal deprivation hypothesis suggests that breaking the maternal bond during early years can seriously affect a child’s intellectual, social, and emotional development, leading to difficulties in forming relationships and potential behavioral disorders.
148
According to Bowlby, when is the most critical period for maternal deprivation to have lasting effects?
Bowlby argued that maternal deprivation before the age of 2.5 years, without a mother substitute, has irreversible effects. The risk continued until about 5 years old.
149
What was Bowlby’s key study on maternal deprivation?
Bowlby’s key study was the 44 thieves study (1944), where he found that 86% of affectionless psychopaths had experienced early separations from their mothers.
150
What methodological criticisms exist for Bowlby’s 44 thieves study?
The study has retrospective data collection, meaning children and parents had to recall past experiences, potentially leading to inaccuracies. Additionally, there may have been researcher bias as Bowlby conducted the study and diagnosed affectionless psychopaths himself.
151
How has Bowlby’s maternal deprivation hypothesis influenced childcare practices?
Bowlby’s theory led to positive changes in infant care, such as improvements in orphanage care and longer visiting hours for parents in hospitals.
152
What did Rutter (1981) argue about the link between early separation and later readjustment?
Rutter argued that it is not the separation itself but the situation surrounding it (e.g. stress from parental divorce) that leads to problems, as shown in his Isle of Wight study.
153
What were the findings of Rutter’s Isle of Wight study regarding separation and delinquency?
Rutter found that if separation was due to physical illness or death of the mother, there was no correlation with delinquency, but if separation was due to psychiatric illness or family discord, the boys were more likely to become delinquent.
154
What social sensitivity criticism exists regarding Bowlby’s research on maternal deprivation?
Bowlby’s research has been criticized as socially sensitive because it was conducted after the war, and some argue it was used to encourage women to stay at home with their children, freeing up the workforce for men returning from war.
155
How has the idea of a critical period for maternal deprivation been challenged?
Some studies have shown that with extra effort, children can recover from the effects of maternal deprivation, leading to the idea of a sensitive period rather than a strict critical period.
156
What is Rutter’s view on maternal deprivation as a vulnerability factor?
Rutter suggests that maternal deprivation should be seen as a vulnerability factor, not a definitive predictor of future maladjustment. He emphasises the importance of considering why some children recover from early attachment disruptions.
157
What is institutionalisation in attachment theory?
Institutionalisation refers to children being raised in care homes, such as orphanages, without contact with family members.
158
What does privation mean in the context of institutionalisation?
Privation refers to the failure to form an attachment.
159
What is the key study on institutionalisation, and who conducted it?
The key study is by Rutter et al. (2007), comparing Romanian orphans adopted by UK families with UK-born adoptees.
160
What were the conditions like for the Romanian orphans in Rutter’s study?
The Romanian orphans were severely malnourished, in the bottom third of the population for weight and head size.
161
What were the three groups in Rutter’s study?
The three groups were: UK-born adoptees (control group), Romanian adoptees adopted before 6 months, and Romanian adoptees adopted after 6 months.
162
What were the findings on IQ in Rutter’s study?
At age 4, Romanian orphans showed cognitive deficiencies. By age 11, those adopted before 6 months had caught up in IQ, while those adopted after 6 months had a mean IQ of 86.
163
What was the finding on attachment types in Rutter’s study?
Children adopted after 6 months were more likely to show disinhibited attachment, characterized by attention-seeking and inappropriate social behaviours.
164
What percentage of children in each group showed disinhibited attachment at age 6 in Rutter’s study?
UK adoptees: 3.8%, Romanian adoptees before 6 months: 8.9%, Romanian adoptees between 6-24 months: 26.1%.
165
What conclusion did Rutter draw from his study on institutionalisation?
Rutter concluded that institutionalisation and the failure to form attachments within Bowlby’s critical period could have long-term effects, especially for late adoptees, but that early adoption can reduce these effects.
166
What is a strength of Rutter’s study on institutionalisation?
A strength is that the study uses a range of measures, such as interviews, observations, and teacher/peer reports, providing both qualitative and quantitative data.
167
What is a weakness of longitudinal studies, as highlighted in Rutter’s research?
A weakness is attrition, where participants drop out over time, potentially leading to a biased sample.
168
How has Rutter’s research on institutionalisation had positive implications?
The research led to changes in institutional care, such as improved emotional care and a higher child-to-staff ratio, and has shown that early adoption leads to secure attachments similar to those in non-adoptive families.
169
What is a limitation of Rutter’s study regarding cause and effect?
Since it is a natural experiment, it is difficult to infer cause and effect. Other factors, such as temperament or the environment in the adoptive home, may contribute to attachment types.
170
What alternative explanations did Rutter suggest for attachment types in children from institutional care?
Rutter suggested that individual differences, such as temperament, may explain attachment types, and that more attention from caregivers could lead to better attachment outcomes.
171
What is the overall conclusion from Rutter’s study on institutionalisation?
Institutionalisation and privation are vulnerability factors, but with appropriate support and early adoption, the effects can be minimised.
