Attachment Flashcards
What is the definition of attachment?
A strong, emotional and reciprocal bond between an infant and caregiver
What are the 4 characteristics of attachment Maccoby identified?
1) Seeking proximity
2) Distress if seperated
3) Pleasure when reunited
4) General orientation
Define reciprocity?
two way bond with the mother and child. Both caregiver and baby respond to each other’s signals and each elicts a response from each other
What is an example of reciprocity?
A mother smiles and her baby smiles back
Define interactional synchrony?
Caregiver and baby reflect the actions and emotions of each other coordinately.
What is an example of interactional synchrony?
A baby moves her head in time with her mother
What are alert phases?
innate social signals babies release to mothers as an indication for interaction
Around what age does a baby increase this interaction?
3 months - Feldman
What did Berry Brazleton describe recirpcorty as?
‘couples dance’ as each partner responds to the other person’s move
What research support interactinoal synchrony?
Metlzoff and Moore observed babies movements as young as 2 weeks old. Adults displayed one of three facial expressions and babies expressions and movements mirrored the adults that predicted
Why is interactional synchrony importrant for attachment?
Isabella et al assessed the levels of synchony with babies and mothers. found that the higher the quality of attachment = higher levels of synchrony
What are strengths of research into care-giver infant interaction
+ Filmed observations - higher control over extraneous variables = good reliability and validity. Recorded = higher inter rater reliability
What are weaknesses of research into care-giver infant interactions
- ## difficulty to interpret and observe babies as they are unable to communicate through words. may overlook certain behaviours.
