Attachment Key Words

Question 1

What is the definition of attachment?

Answer 1

Attachment is an emotional tie or bond between two people.

The relationship is shared, which means it is two-way.

Question 2

What are mutual exchanges between caregivers and infants that encourage attachment bonds called?

Answer 2

Reciprocity

These exchanges help maintain attachment bonds.

Question 3

Define caregiver-infant interaction.

Answer 3

Caregiver-infant interaction is reciprocal, where both respond to each other’s signals.

Each elicits a response from the other.

Question 4

What is interactional synchrony?

Answer 4

Caregiver and infant reflect both the actions and emotions of the other in a coordinated way.

This synchronized interaction promotes bonding.

Question 5

What are the stages of attachment?

Answer 5

Asocial stage, Indiscriminate attachments, Specific attachment, Multiple attachments

These stages represent the qualitative changes in infant behavior as they develop attachments.

Question 6

What characterizes the asocial stage?

Answer 6

Babies’ behaviour towards non-human objects and humans is similar

This stage occurs at the beginning of an infant’s social development.

Question 7

What happens during the indiscriminate attachments stage?

Answer 7

Babies start to show a preference for people, but their behaviour is not different towards any one person

This stage indicates the beginning of social preferences.

Question 8

What is specific attachment?

Answer 8

Babies start to develop stranger anxiety as they have formed a specific attachment to one adult

This attachment is characterized by a strong bond with one primary caregiver.

Question 9

What are multiple attachments?

Answer 9

Attachments to two or more people after forming one strong attachment to a caregiver

Most babies appear to develop multiple attachments following a primary attachment.

Question 10

Who is considered the primary attachment figure?

Answer 10

The person with whom a baby forms a specific attachment, often offering the most interaction

This may not necessarily be the person the infant spends the most time with.

Question 11

What are secondary attachments?

Answer 11

The relationships formed between infants and other caregivers after their primary attachment

These attachments can be to family members, friends, or other caregivers.

Question 12

What is separation anxiety?

Answer 12

The degree of distress shown by the child when separated from the caregiver

This is a common emotional response in infants as they form attachments.

Question 13

What is stranger anxiety?

Answer 13

The degree of distress shown by an infant when with unfamiliar people

This indicates the infant’s growing awareness of social relationships.

Question 14

What is the role of the father?

Answer 14

The parts male figures play with regards to children.

This includes emotional support, guidance, and caregiving.

Question 15

Define sensitive responsiveness.

Answer 15

The extent to which caregivers can recognise and respond appropriately to an infant’s needs.

This is crucial for healthy child development.

Question 16

What are animal studies?

Answer 16

Studies carried out on non-human animal species rather than humans for ethical or practical reasons

Ethical reasons include the immorality of separating human infants from parents. Practical reasons include faster breeding of animals and the ability to observe results across generations.

Question 17

What is imprinting?

Answer 17

Where offspring follow the first large-moving object they see

Imprinting usually occurs during a critical period shortly after birth.

Question 18

What is contact comfort?

Answer 18

The physical and emotional comfort that infants derive from being in close physical contact with their caregiver

This includes aspects of touch and warmth.

Question 19

What is the definition of learning theory?

Answer 19

A set of theories from the behaviourist approach to Psychology, that emphasise the role of learning in the acquisition of behaviour.

Learning theory focuses on how experiences shape behavior through conditioning.

Question 20

What is classical conditioning?

Answer 20

A type of learning in which an existing involuntary reflex response is associated with a new stimulus.

Classical conditioning was famously demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov through his experiments with dogs.

Question 21

What is a neutral stimulus (NS)?

Answer 21

A stimulus that does not initially produce a specific response or reaction when it is presented.

In classical conditioning, the neutral stimulus becomes significant when paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Question 22

What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

Answer 22

A stimulus that is naturally occurring and automatically triggers a response without any prior learning or conditioning.

An example of UCS is food, which naturally elicits salivation in dogs.

Question 23

What is an unconditioned response (UCR)?

Answer 23

A natural, automatic reaction to a stimulus that does not require prior learning or conditioning.

Salivation in response to food is an example of an unconditioned response.

Question 24

What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?

Answer 24

A stimulus that produces a specific, learned, response or reaction when it is presented.

In Pavlov’s experiment, the bell became a conditioned stimulus after being paired with food.

Question 25

What is a conditioned response (CR)?

Answer 25

A learned reaction to a previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned stimulus. ## Footnote Salivation in response to the bell is an example of a conditioned response.

Question 26

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 26

A type of learning in which a new voluntary behaviour is associated with a consequence. Reinforcement makes the behaviour more likely to occur, while punishment makes it less likely to occur. ## Footnote B.F. Skinner is a key figure in operant conditioning, illustrating how behavior can be shaped through rewards and consequences.

Question 27

What is a primary drive?

Answer 27

An innate biological motivator. ## Footnote Examples of primary drives include hunger, thirst, and the need for sleep.

Question 28

What is a secondary drive?

Answer 28

Motivators learned through conditioning or association with a primary drive, such as attachment and social acceptance. ## Footnote Secondary drives develop through experiences and can influence behavior significantly.

Question 29

What is the definition of Monotropy?

Answer 29

The idea that infants have an inbuilt tendency to make an initial attachment with one attachment figure. Usually the mother. ## Footnote Monotropy emphasizes the significance of one primary attachment figure in the development of an infant.

Question 30

What does innate mean in the context of attachment?

Answer 30

A behaviour that is instinctive and does not need to be learned. ## Footnote Innate behaviours are natural responses that infants exhibit without prior experience.

Question 31

What is an internal working model?

Answer 31

A mental representation that is used as a template for future relationships based on an infant's primary attachment. ## Footnote Internal working models influence how individuals perceive and interact in relationships throughout life.

Question 32

What are social releasers?

Answer 32

Innate behaviours shown by an infant that cause a caregiving response (e.g., cooing). ## Footnote Social releasers are important for initiating interactions between infants and caregivers.

Question 33

What is a critical period in attachment theory?

Answer 33

A specific time period within which an attachment must form, if it is to form at all. ## Footnote The critical period is crucial for the development of secure attachments.

Question 34

What is a sensitive period?

Answer 34

The best time for attachments to form. They can still form outside of this period but with more difficulty. ## Footnote The sensitive period suggests that while attachments can develop later, they may not be as strong or secure.

Question 35

What is the Strange Situation?

Answer 35

A controlled observation designed to test attachment security. Infants are assessed on their response to playing in an unfamiliar room, being left alone, left with a stranger, and being reunited with a caregiver. ## Footnote This method was developed by Mary Ainsworth to categorize attachment styles.

Question 36

What characterizes secure attachment?

Answer 36

The most desired attachment type associated with psychologically healthy outcomes. ## Footnote In the Strange Situation, this was shown by moderate stranger and separation anxiety, and being easily comforted at reunion.

Question 37

Define insecure-avoidant attachment.

Answer 37

An attachment type characterised by low anxiety but 'weak' attachment. ## Footnote In the Strange Situation, this was shown by low stranger and separation anxiety, and little response at reunion.

Question 38

What is insecure-resistant attachment?

Answer 38

An attachment type characterised by a strong attachment and high anxiety. ## Footnote In the Strange Situation, this was shown by high levels of stranger and separation anxiety, and by resistance to being comforted at reunion.

Question 39

What does proximity seeking behaviour refer to?

Answer 39

The way infants try to maintain physical contact or be close to their attachment figure.

Question 40

What is stranger anxiety?

Answer 40

The degree of distress shown by an infant when with unfamiliar people.

Question 41

Define separation anxiety.

Answer 41

The degree of distress shown by the child when separated from the caregiver.

Question 42

What is exploration behaviour in infants?

Answer 42

How the child explores the environment when the caregiver is present.

Question 43

What is secure-base behaviour?

Answer 43

The child returning to the caregiver for comfort or reassurance during stressful or unfamiliar situations.

Question 44

What does reunion behaviour refer to?

Answer 44

The way a child responds when they are reunited with their primary caregiver after being briefly separated.

Question 45

What are cultural variations?

Answer 45

The difference in norms and values that exist between people in different groups. ## Footnote Cultural variations can significantly influence attachment styles and relationships.

Question 46

What is meta-analysis?

Answer 46

Where researchers combine the findings from multiple studies to draw an overall conclusion. ## Footnote Meta-analysis is a statistical technique that helps to synthesize research findings across different studies.

Question 47

Who is associated with the study of cultural variations in attachment?

Answer 47

van Ijzendoorn. ## Footnote van Ijzendoorn's research has contributed to understanding how attachment styles differ across cultures.

Question 48

What is maternal deprivation theory?

Answer 48

An explanation of the emotional and intellectual consequences of disrupting attachment bonds that sees serious, permanent damage to children's development. ## Footnote Developed by John Bowlby, highlighting the importance of continuous care in early childhood.

Question 49

What does short-term disruption of an attachment bond refer to?

Answer 49

Temporary separation or disruption in the bond between a child and their primary caregiver. ## Footnote Can lead to immediate distress but may not have lasting effects if resolved quickly.

Question 50

What is long-term disruption of an attachment bond?

Answer 50

A prolonged separation or disruption in the bond that can lead to serious emotional and developmental issues. ## Footnote May result in difficulties in forming future relationships.

Question 51

What is meant by the critical period in attachment theory?

Answer 51

A specific time within which an attachment must form if it is to form at all. ## Footnote Generally believed to occur in the first few years of life.

Question 52

What is affectionless psychopathy?

Answer 52

A term used by Bowlby to describe people who do not show concern or affection for other people and show no, or very little, remorse or guilt. ## Footnote Often associated with a lack of empathy and can result from early attachment disruptions.

Question 53

What is the definition of Institutionalisation?

Answer 53

The effects of living in an institutional setting such as a hospital or care home.

Question 54

What characterizes a child living in an institutional setting?

Answer 54

It is a place where children live for long, continuous periods of time. There is little to no emotional care provided.

Question 55

What does it mean for a child to experience Privation?

Answer 55

A child never having formed an attachment bond.

Question 56

What are Orphan studies concerned with?

Answer 56

Children placed in care because their parents cannot look after them.

Question 57

Define Disinhibited attachment.

Answer 57

Behaviour that is attention seeking and clingy and directed indiscriminately towards all adults.

Question 58

What are relationships in childhood defined as?

Answer 58

Relationships with other people in childhood, including friends and classmates, and with adults such as family members and teachers. ## Footnote This includes the interactions and bonds formed during formative years.

Question 59

What types of relationships do individuals have later in life as adults?

Answer 59

Friendships, working relationships, relationships with romantic partners, and relationships with one's own children. ## Footnote These relationships can significantly impact personal and social development.

Question 60

What is a mental representation in the context of relationships?

Answer 60

A mental representation that is used as a template for future relationships based on an infant's primary attachment. ## Footnote This concept is rooted in attachment theory.

Question 61

What does the idea of consistency between early emotional experiences and later relationships suggest?

Answer 61

There is a consistency between early emotional experiences and later relationships. ## Footnote This idea underlines the importance of early childhood experiences in shaping adult relationship dynamics.