Attachment Flashcards
(44 cards)
Evaluation of research into infant interactions
+ uses cameras to get more detail
+ talks about implications - there is evidence to suggest that they are helpful with attachment and other development
- doesn’t include multiple caregivers, only mothers
- don’t know why the infant does what it does
Evaluation of research into the role of the father
+ supports the idea of multiple attachments/single fathers
- inconsistent results - some psychologists are interested in fathers as secondary attachment and others are concerned with the father as primary attachment figures
- socially sensitive research
Observation type/location (Schaffer and Emerson evaluation)
+ of Schaffer and Emerson
Babies observed in their own homes, therefore are more likely to act in the way they normally do. They may be more distressed away from home and then adhere to demand characteristics.
Representation of all types of family (Schaffer and Emerson evaluation)
- of Schaffer and Emerson Only focused on working class families in Glasgow which isn't generalisable
Temporal validity (Schaffer and Emerson evaluation)
- of Schaffer and Emerson
Not representative of modern day. Traditionally women stayed at home while father worked. Babies were also raised differently.
Interviewing mothers (Schaffer and Emerson evaluation)
- of Schaffer and Emerson
The mother may lie to look like a better mother as a result of social desirability bias.
Evaluation of animal studies
+ Has application (Harlow) as it showed that attachment is formed based on comfort
- Less generalisable to humans
- Unethical
- Impacts of sexual imprinting don’t last
Application of learning theory (evaluation)
+ of learning theory
If attachments are formed based on conditioning, then it is more important that new parents are positive role models. If they have difficulty being consistent and sensitive, parenting classes should be provided.
Harlow’s research (evaluation)
- of learning theory
Found that 8 young monkeys became more attached to a soft cloth mother that did not produce food than to a wire mother that did
Crucial other factors (evaluation)
- of learning theory
Over simplified as it ignores other crucial factors such as genetics
Human vs animal behaviour (evaluation)
- of learning theory
Based on studies on animals. Human behaviour may be similar to some ways but human behaviour is more influenced by higher order thinking and emotions.
Bailey et al (2007) (monotropy evaluation)
+ of monotropic theory
Interviewed 99 mothers on quality of attachment with mother. Assessed babies attachment to mother. Found that mothers who reported poor attachment with their own mothers had poor attachments with their child.
Suess et al (2002) (monotropy evaluation)
+ of monotropic theory
Attachment to the mother is important in predicting later behaviour. First attachment isn’t unique
Schaffer and Emerson (1964) (monotropy evaluation)
- of monotropic theory
Mixed evidence for monotropy
Found that some babies could form multiple attachments at once.
Kulochova (monotropy evaluation)
- of monotropic theory
Goes against critical period
Twins locked up since 1 year old and rescued at 7. Formed attachments by 14, though it could be argued that they formed monotropic attachments with each other.
Circle of security project (Ainsworth evaluation)
+ of Ainsworth
Application through the circle of security project. Teaches caregivers how to better understand their infant’s distress signals.
Use of behavioural categories (Ainsworth evaluation)
+ of Ainsworth
They found a correlation of 0.94 between observers.
Main and Solomon (1986) (Ainsworth evaluation)
- of Ainsworth
Reviewed over 200 videotapes of Ainsworth’s experiment and proposed a 4th attachment type: insecure disorganised.
Main and Weston (1981) (Ainsworth evaluation)
- of Ainsworth
Children behave differently according to the different parents.
Evaluation of cross cultural research into attachment
+ They found a mix of collectivist and individualist cultures for comparison.
+ Used standardised procedure so results could be compared.
- Western technique suitable for Western children imposed on other cultures.
- Some of the samples were small (only one study in UK, Sweden and China) so not representative of whole population
Jin et al (2012)
Studied attachment types in Korea using Strange Situation. Found that the proportions of secure and insecure babies were similar to those in most countries. Secure was most common but of the insecurely attached, most were classified as resistant and only one was avoidant.
Simonella et al (2014)
Used a sample of 76 1 year olds and tested attachment type.
Found that 50% were secure and 36% were insecure avoidant. This is a lower rate of secure attachment than has been found in many other studies of the culture.
Curtiss (1977) (Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory evaluation)
+ of Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory
Genie kept in isolation until 13. She is still unable to use language and her IQ is very low. She also showed disinhibited attachment (attachment towards anyone)
Bowlby’s 44 thieves (Bowlby’s m.d. theory evaluation)
+ of Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory
Looked at 44 thieves. 14/44 were affectionless psychopaths. 12 had a maternal deprivation. Only 2 in control group had maternal deprivation. Shows that maternal deprivation leads to affectionless psychopathy
