Explanations Of Attachment Flashcards
What is attachment?
An emotional tie or bond between two people shown in their behaviour .
What is learning theory ?
This theory suggests that is based on forming attachments for pleasure , it’s based on the principles of classical and operate conditioning.
What Operate conditioning ?
Any behaviour that produces a reward such as food will be rewarded (Positive reinforcement)
and behaviour that switches off something negative will also be repeated (Negative reinforcement).
What Classical conditioning?
Any behaviour can be learnt through association pleasure is gained by infants through being fed then they associate this pleasure with who is feeding them ; Mother or Caregiver
What did Maccoby’s theory suggest? (4)
That attachment in two people can be seen through their behaviour , people who have an attachment will :
Seek Proximity
Distress on Separation
Joy on reunion
General Orientation
What did Bowlby’s theory suggest? (6)
He argued that imprinting occurs in humans
We have evolved a biological need to attach to our main caregiver
A strong attachment provides a “ Safe Base” giving us confidence to explore their environment
Our attachments with our caregivers when we are young creates a template for our future relationships
(Internal Working Model)
First 3 years of our life is our critical period for attachment
We only have one special attachment ( Monotropy )
Evaluation of Bowlby’s theory (Harlow)
Support
study supports the idea that we have evolved a need to attach
It also suggest that social and emotional development might be damaged if an attachment isn’t formed
Evaluation of Bowlby’s theory (Schaffer and Emerson)
Provided evidence against monotropy
they found many children formed multiple attachments not just to their mother
Evaluation of Bowlby’s theory (Harlow)
Against
Evidence against monotropy
Monkeys who didn’t have a mother but grew up together didn’t show any signs of disturbance in later life
Evaluation of Bowlby’s theory (Hazan and Shaver)
Evidence for internal working model
They found relationships went better for people who were secure types unlike insecure types who had bad relationships
What is an insecure attachment ?
Attachments that have week bonds between the child and caregiver
What are the types of insecure attachments ?
Insecure avoidant and Insecure resistant
What behaviour does an insecure resistant child show ?
When separated from caregiver child becomes upset and can’t be comforted by strangers as well as occasionally rejecting comfort from caregiver
These children both accept and reject social interaction and intimacy
What behaviour does an insecure avoidant child show ?
When separated from caregiver child doesn’t really become distressed and can be comforted by strangers
Can be seen in children who do not show intimacy and avoid social interaction
What does a secure attachment consist of ? (3)
Strong bond between child and caregiver
If separated infants become distressed
When re united the child is easily comforted by caregiver
