Attachment Flashcards
What is the primary caregiver’s role in attachment theory?
To provide a “safe base” for the infant by being consistent and aware
Research done by Bowlby
What are the four main attachment styles?
Secure
Anxious
Avoidant
Disorganized
What are the types of caregiver-infant attachments?
Reciprocity: A mutual 2 way process where the mother and infant both show social responsiveness. Infants have alert periodic phases where they are ready for interaction. This can be seen where the infant responds to the caregiver by doing similar actions e.g. nodding head or smiling
Interactional synchrony: this is where the mother and the infant mirror each other / actions
What is a key study on attachment
Shafferon and Emerson
His aim was to investigate how early attachments were formed
His sample was 60 babies in Glasgow (working class family)
Method:
The researchers would visit the baby and the mother every month for a year. The researcher would ask the mother if the child protested when they were seperated
They also assessed stranger anxiety
- Findings: 50% of babies from 25-30 wk showed signs of separation anxiety. Attachment was most abundant when the caregiver was most interactive and sensitive to the child. 80% of babies age 40wks had specific attachment while 30% displayed multiple attachments
What are the stages of atachment
Stage 1: Asocial stage (0-3wks) = the baby displays no emotion
Stage 2: Indiscriminate attachment (2-7mths) = observable social behaviour
Stage 3: Specific attachment (7mths) = baby displays anxiety towards strangers but is emotionally attached to their caregiver (Stranger Anxiety)
Stage 4: Multiple attachments (10mths) = the baby is attached to not only the caregiver but other people (e.g. siblings)
What are the strengths and limits of attachment?
Strengths
REAL WORLD APPLICATION
MELTZOFF MOORE CASE STUDY (HIGH CONTROLLED OBSERVATION)
controlled observation therefore more reliable and valid + ecological validity
therefore can be repeated
Case study by Shaffaron and Emerson
Weakness
RESERACHER BIAS
Observations do not tell us the meaning of reciprocity and synchrony
We can not understand the cognitive process of the baby ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO MANIPULATE THE BABIES INTENTION (INTENTIONALITY)
What is a limitation of Shaffaron And Emersons Study
They tested it on Norwegian baby from Glasgow therefore it lacks ecological validity
Cultural biased
What is attachment?
Its an emotional long lasting bond between 2 people
What is reciprocity
back and fourth interaction between humans e.g. baby and mother. Its a 2 way mutual process
What is international synchrony
Small periods of time mirroring micro behavioural e.g. baby and mother doing same faces
summarise learning theory
attachment is social learning theory + classical conditioning
cupboard love
AO3
pavlov dogs, skinner rats
cant generalise because too simplistic
summarise bowlbys theory
critical periods are formed if attachments are not formed then there will be critical periods e.g. the mammal raging
bowlby did not test this just stated this - not valid
social releasers and internal working model
AO3
Harlow + Lorenz
Reductionist
Explain culutural variations in attachment AO3
Lacks Temporal Validity
its greater within a country than outside. e.g. in china 50% secure is most common whereas in germany avoidant is most common and in Japan is more resistant 27% . could be because of different parenting styles. Secure is most common type B
2000 ppts (1990)
32 countries
what were the findings in attachment strange situation
70% secure
25% avoidant
5% resistant
What are 3 strengths for Caregiver infant interaction (AO3)
Highly controlled observation
For example in Meltzoff Study the researcher used technology to capture the babies behavior (this involved filming)
No Demand Characteristics
Practical application (real world application) For example mothers are supported to engage and respond to their children (show social responsiveness)
What is a weakness for Caregiver infant interaction (AO3)
Researcher Bias therefore less valid
Investigator effects
Intentionality
It is ethically impossible to manipulate the babies intention / behaviour
It is extremely difficult to find out what is going on to the babys point of view because all they are doing is facial expressions and hand movements but you dont know the babies intention in a deeper level
