>attachment: caregiver-infant interactions

Question 1

define attachment

Answer 1

a strong emotional bond that develops over time between an infant + primary caregiver

Question 2

what is meant by primary caregiver?

Answer 2

the person(s) whom the baby feels most strongly attached too, who is reciprocal

Question 3

what are the 4 characteristics proposed by Maccoby of an attachment tie?

Answer 3

-seeking proximity, especially in times of stress
-distress on seperation
-pleasure when reunited
-general orientation of behaviour towards primary caregiver

Question 4

what characterises an attachment bond?

Answer 4

-infants desire to be close to a particular individual + by expression of distress when separated from that person
-provides infant with sense of security
-usually mother, but attachment can be formed with anyone who provides such security + comfort

Question 5

although babies cannot talk, communication is ____ and _____ and can _________

Answer 5

-rich
-complex
-occur in several ways

Question 6

what are the 5 ways that a baby non verbally uses to communicate with a carer?

Answer 6

-bodily contact
-mimicking
-caregiverese
-interactional synchrony
-reciprocity

Question 7

bodily contact?

Answer 7

-physical interactions between carer + infant that help strengthen attachment bond
-especially in period immediately after birth

Question 8

mimicking?

Answer 8

-infants seem to have innate ability to mimic carers facial expressions
-suggesting a biological device to aid in formation of attachments

Question 9

caregiverese

Answer 9

-when carers interact with infants a modified form of vocal language is used
-high pitched, song like in nature, slow + repetitive
-aids in communication between carer + infant
-strengthening attachment bond

Question 10

interactional synchrony?

Answer 10

-infant move their bodies in tune with the rhythm of carers spoken language to create kind of a turn taking
-like a 2 way conversation
-reinforcing attachment bond

Question 11

reciprocity?

Answer 11

-interactions between carer + infant result in mutual behaviour
-both parties receive a response from eachother
-fortifying attachment bond

Question 12

two research names?

Answer 12

-Klaus + Kennell
-Melzoff + Moore

Question 13

Klaus + Kennel?

Answer 13

-compared mums who had extended physical contact with their babies (several hours a day) with mums who only had physical contact during feeding 3 days after birth
-a month later: found mums with extended physical contact would cuddle + make eye contact more often than other mums with limited/lesser contact -> effects were still noticeable a year later
-suggesting greater physical contact leads to stronger + closer bond formation

Question 14

Melzoff + Moore?

Answer 14

-found that infants aged 2-3 weeks tended to mimic adults specific facial expressions + hand movements
-supporting the idea that infant mimicry is an innate ability used to aid formation of attachments
-especially as it was seen in infants who were >3 days old

Question 15

evaluation of research- advantages?

Answer 15

-practical application (Klaus + Kennell), hospitals placed mother + infant in same room days following birth as opposed to previous practices where baby + mother would be separately roomed -> helps in formation of attachments
-controlled observations capture fine detail, filmed from different angles, babies behaviour doesn’t change when observed so accurate response obtained

Question 16

evaluation of research- disadvantages?

Answer 16

-caregiverese has been seen to be used by adults with all babies, not just those they have attachments with, although its usage aids in communication between infants + adults, cannot be said to specifically aid in formation of attachments
-hard to know what’s happening when observing infants, extremely difficult to know if hand movements/changes in expression may not be deliberate/conscious
-interactional synchrony not found across some cultures, weakening support that its necessary in formation of attachments e.g. kenyan mothers have little physical contact with their infants but high proportion of secure attachments

Question 17

what are schaffer + emmersons stages of attachment development?

Answer 17

-pre-attachment phase (birth -> 3 months)
-indiscriminate attachment phase (3 months -> 7/8 months)
-discriminate attachment phase (7/8 months onwards ->)
-multiple attachment stages (9 months onward ->)

Question 18

pre attachment phase?

Answer 18

-from 6 weeks infants become attracted to humans
-preferring them to objects + events -> preference demonstrated by smiling at peoples faces

Question 19

indiscriminate phase?

Answer 19

-infant begins to distinguish between familiar + unfamiliar people, smiling more at known people
-still allows strangers to handle + look after them

Question 20

discriminate phase?

Answer 20

-infant begins to develop specific attachments, want to be closer to particular people + show distress when separated from them
-avoid unfamiliar people + protest when handled by strangers

Question 21

multiple stages of attachment?

Answer 21

-infant develops strong emotional ties with other major caregivers e.g. grandparents + non-caregivers e.g. other children
-fear of strangers weakens + strongest attachment bond -> still mother figure

Question 22

evaluation of stages- advantages?

Answer 22

-high external validity, carried out in own homes, observations done by mothers + later reported to researchers
-longitudinal study, comparisons can be made, high internal validity (control confounding variables)

Question 23

evaluation of stages- disadvantages?

Answer 23

-limited sample size, impacting its ability to generalise

Question 24

children are said to form multiple attachments/bonds with several people, what was Bowlby’s take on this?

Answer 24

-believed children had one prime attachment, although had attachments to others -> of minor attachment compared to main attachment bond
-‘primary attachment bond’ -> monotropic theory

Question 25

what did Rutter propose?

Answer 25

-multiple attachment model
-all attachments are of equal importance
-all combine together -> internal working model (child’s perception of themselves)

Question 26

evaluation of multiple attachments- advantages?

Answer 26

-argued that children with several attachments are at an advantage, able to form + conduct social relationships easier