Child Development

Question 1

What is the attachment theory?

Answer 1

Early life experiences strongly influence later adult functioning and vulnerability to psychopathology - John Bowlby

Question 2

What does secure attachment do in terms of a positive internal working model?

Answer 2

• enhances child’s self view
• helps apply self in relation to others
• allows social competence

Question 3

What does secure attachment do in terms of emotion regulation ability?

Answer 3

• expression and recognition skills
• avoiding anxiety, dealing with stress

Question 4

What can be factors of separation during childhood?

Answer 4

• hospital care of children
• parental divorce or bereavement

Question 5

What are the effects of failure to achieve early secure attachment?

Answer 5

• effect on adult relationships
• psychological health and wellbeing

Question 6

When does pre-attachment occur?

Answer 6

0-2 months

*evidence of transnatal auditory learning (when a child hears mum’s voice he/she sucks more)

Question 7

When does attachment in the making occur? And how can it be recognised?

Answer 7

2-7 months = children start to smile and communicate with their primary caregiver

Question 8

When does clear cut attachment occur? And how can it be recognised?

Answer 8

7-24 months = children start to become more mobile

Question 9

When does goal corrected partnership attachment occur? And how is it recognised?

Answer 9

24 months+ = children become more sophisticated and realise their actions can have a consequence, learn they can control the behaviour of adults to some extent

Question 10

When does stranger anxiety and separation distress occur?

Answer 10

Stranger anxiety = 10 months
Separation anxiety = 12 months

Question 11

What is an example of how infants are pre-wired to be socially responsive?

Answer 11

Mirroring expression of the primary caregiver

Question 12

What are the functions of attachment?

Answer 12

Mutual responsiveness > attachment grows (to primary caregiver) > exploration grows > autonomy grows

Question 13

What are characteristics of secure attachment?

Answer 13

child stays quite close to mum, upset by her leaving, greets positively
(separation anxiety)

Question 14

What are the characteristics of insecure attachment (avoidant)?

Answer 14

avoids contact with mum on reunion, ok when left with stranger

Question 15

What are the characteristics of insecure attachment (resistant)?

Answer 15

very upset by mum leaving, on return difficult to console, both seeks comfort and resists

Question 16

What three characteristics are present in young children associated with attachment?

Answer 16

• selective attachment
• physical proximity seeking
• comfort and security
• produce separation distress

Question 17

What is a primary carer’s behaviour?

Answer 17

• caregiver (maternal) sensitivity = perceive/interpret signals/communication in infant’s behaviour and respond
• mind-mindedness = caregivers’ tendency to treat their children as individuals with minds of their own; enables caregivers to “tune in” to what their infants may be thinking or feeling

Question 18

What are the characteristics and resulting adult characteristics of secure attachment?

Answer 18

Infant (secure)
- distress when mother leaves, greets mum when she returns

Adult (secure)
- comfortable in relationships
- able to seek support from partner

Question 19

What are the characteristics and resulting adult characteristics of avoidant attachment?

Answer 19

Infant (avoidant)
- does not seek mum when they return
- focuses on environment

Adult (dismissing)
- greater sense of autonomy
- tend to cut themselves off emotionally from partner

Question 20

What are the characteristics and resulting adult characteristics of ambivalent/resistant attachment?

Answer 20

Infant (resistant)
- very upset at departure
- explores very little

Adult (preoccupied)
- fears rejection from partner
- strong desire to maintain closeness

Question 21

How can attachment status change?

Answer 21

• infant attachment initiates pathways of development e.g. peer relationships
• attachments to others
• parenting interventions