Week 7: Attachment Theory

Question 1

What is the definition of attachment

Answer 1

Affectional tie between an individual and a specific other that endures overtime and physical separation

Question 2

Do only humans get attached

Answer 2

No this is not limited to humans but it is most common

Question 3

What is attachment accompanied by?

Answer 3

Strong emotions

Question 4

Explain attachment behaviours

Answer 4

There are some common behaviours but there are also large individual differences

They bring the infant closer to their caregiver

Question 5

Freuds psychodynamic theory relating to attachment?

Answer 5

Prototypical mother and infant relationship because the mother fufils infants oral needs

Suggests food may not be all important

Question 6

Explain the findings of Harlows research on baby monkeys

Answer 6

They had baby monkeys removed from their mothers and placed with a terry cloth mother that was soft and comforting as well as a wire mother that provided food.

The monkeys would go to the wire mother when needed but it would spend the rest of its time cuddled up with the cloth mother

Question 7

Explain learning theory in relation to attachment

Answer 7

Suggests the importance of a mother and infant relationship comes from feeding and how they are mutually reinforced

However it does not account for the strong emotions that accompany attachment behaviour

Question 8

Explain ethological components/theories of attachment?

Answer 8

Imprinting which is an innate tendency to follow the mother this is inbuilt genetic and preprogrammed

However attachment normally occurs to the first object seen this was demonstrated with goslings as well as a critical period for imprinting. Mothers a pre-programmed to stay in close proximity to their infants

Question 9

Explain Bowlbys attachment theory?

Answer 9

Originated from children that are deprived of maternal care being detrimentally affected in their development he suggested that prolonged separation during the first five years of life is one of the major causes of abnormal development

He also suggested for normal development to occur the parent child attachment must be warm intimate and continuous
-monotropic theory

Looking at war orphans after World War II

Question 10

What does monotropic theory mean?

Answer 10

Attachment to a single other typically the mother

However today there is more emphasis on the other kinds of multiple bonds instead of just being a biologically preprogramed between the Mum and the baby

Question 11

Explain the changes towards father attachment

Answer 11

Focus has just been on mothers however there is a more direct involvement of fathers in child rearing nowadays
there are similarities in the degree and quality of mother and father attachments and it is important for developmental outcomes

Question 12

Even if father attachment is present what happens when a child is under extreme stress

Answer 12

They seek out their mum for comfort

Question 13

What did Mary Ainsworth promote the idea of?

Answer 13

She developed empirical basis for attachment. She promoted the idea of the caregiver as a secure base which the children can then explore the world from

Question 14

Explain Mary Ainsworth‘s ‘strange situation’

Answer 14

This involves observing the behaviour of infants in a series of highly standardise scenarios

1: when infant is with the parent
2: in the absence of the parent
3: when a stranger is present
4: when the parent returns

Question 15

What is seen in infants with a secure attachment type (SS)?

Answer 15

Initially will play happily explore the room and return to the parent occasionally

They may be wary when the stranger enters but will continue to play - easily comforted when left alone

But when they leave they search for them and may cry but when they return they immediately seek contact
Recover quickly if they show distress

Question 16

What percentage of infants have a secure attachment

Answer 16

65-70%

Question 17

What does a secure attachment promote?

Answer 17

They learn to seek out effective relationships and look for people that can help them feel good about themselves in adult hood

It’s very protective you know you have a secure base and you’re very resilient

Question 18

What is seen in infants with a insecure-avoidant attachment type?

Answer 18

Initially show little involvement with the parent

Not distressed rarely cry when the parent leaves

They react similarly to parent and stranger

One parent returns they show low level engagement and tendency to avoid

Question 19

What percentage of children have an insecure avoidant attachment type

Answer 19

20%

Question 20

What can be the outcomes of an insecure avoidant attachment type

Answer 20

They mask their emotional expression and may believe that others are trustworthy

To be emotionally avoidant so they don’t get hurt

As they grow up they may rely on themselves instead of others and risk aggressive behaviour if they are strong in their avoidance

Question 21

What do we see in infants with an insecure-ambivalent attachment type?

Answer 21

This is a mixed positive and negative reaction to the parents

There is evidence of anxiety even before the separation occurs they want very close contact with their parents or are clingy

minimal or no exploration of the room and exhibit intense distress at separation - refuse comfort from the stranger and seek close contact with the parent comes back but resist comforting

Question 22

What percentage of infants have an insecure-ambivalent attachment type?

Answer 22

10%

Question 23

What can be outcomes of an insecure-ambivalent attachment type?

Answer 23

They may find it hard to manage anxiety in every day life and may grow up to exaggerate their emotions
Have negative beliefs about their self and risk phobias anxiety and depression

Question 24

What do we see in infants with disorganised-disoriented attachment types?

Answer 24

Inconsistent and contradictory behaviour

When parent returns to the room they approach them but avoid eye contact

Then maybe unresponsive or turn away when held will have frozen posture

Cry out unexpectedly after being comforted

Least securely attached type

Question 25

Is disorganised-disoriented attachment normal?

Answer 25

No it is very abnormal and you may need to look at what’s happening at home

Question 26

What percentage of infants have a disorganised-disoriented attachment type?

Answer 26

5-10%

Question 27

What may be the outcomes of a disorganised-disoriented attachment type?

Answer 27

They are often unable to form relationships with other people We do see them being securely comforted by a stranger so you can’t tell who can look after you and who can’t which is dangerous There is a risk of personality disorders

Question 28

What is the parental role in attachment

Answer 28

Attachment depends on how the parent responds to the child’s overtures

Question 29

What maternal behaviours are associated with Secure attachment types

Answer 29

Appropriate responses to infants needs They don’t under or over respond =balance They are responsive to how the infant feels and their emotional state There is interactional Synchrony between the mother and the infant

Question 30

Which maternal behaviours are associated with an insecure attachment type

Answer 30

There are inconsistent responses to the infants need so they’re never sure if they will get a response they need or not They ignore or reject infants overtures The infants emotional state maybe in response to unclear or ambivalent messages May have learned these things from their own parents but training can be used to correct

Question 31

What are internal working models

Answer 31

A model in your head on how the world (environmental) is as well as yourself and others (organisational) These are built in the first five years of life based on every day Parent child interactions

Question 32

What internal working models would a secure child

Answer 32

The environmental model maybe that it’s reliable responsive and loving Their organisational model of themselves may be that they are worthy of love and attention

Question 33

What internal working models may an insecure child have

Answer 33

Environmental the world maybe dangerous and not to be trusted Organisational they’re not worthy

Question 34

What did Ainsworth and Bowlby suggest about attachment style stability

Answer 34

That styles a static

Question 35

What is the more recent view of attachment style stability

Answer 35

Styles are relatively stable but can be malleable depending on circumstances: - Quality of later relationships - transition between developmental stages - changes in vulnerability factors from secure to insecure or vice versa - nature of relationship type

Question 36

What about the attachment in adulthood?

Answer 36

Emotional bonds between adult romantic partners is partly the same attachment behavioural system that gives rise to the emotional bond between infants and their caregivers

Question 37

What are some features that may be the same between adult romantic partners and child parent pairs

Answer 37

Feel safe when the other is nearby and responsive and insecure when they are in accessible Play with another’s facial features and exhibit a mutual fascination as well as engaging baby talk May also engage in close intimate bodily contact Share discoveries with each other

Question 38

Attachment in adult hood: if you have a positive model of others and a positive model of self what do you have

Answer 38

I secure attachment history A healthy balance of attachment and autonomy, freedom to explore

Question 39

Attachment in adulthood: If you have a positive model of others but I negative model of yourself what do you have

Answer 39

A preoccupied or resistant attachment history Desperate for love to feel worthy as a person you worry about abandonment and express anxiety in danger openly

Question 40

Attachment in adulthood: If you have a negative model of others but a positive model of yourself or do you have

Answer 40

A dismissing or avoidant insecure attachment history Shut out emotions defending against hurt by avoiding intimacy Dismissing the importance of relationships and being compulsively self-reliant

Question 41

Attachment in adulthood: If you have a negative model of yourself and others what do you have

Answer 41

A fearful or disorganised disorientated attachment history You need relationships but doubt your own words and fear intimacy you lack coherent strategies for meeting attachment needs

Question 42

When is the strange situation assessment useful

Answer 42

It is useful in assessing infant or preschool attachment however it is less affective in Middle childhood when attachment behaviours are less obvious

Question 43

How do you assess attachment in older children

Answer 43

Lab observations- observe and classify Naturalistic observations - observe and classify at home Narrative assessment - child responds to hypothetical scenarios to tap into IVM (6-14yrs) Narrative play therapy- child completes a story with dolls and props Self-report - responds to questions. Semi projective technique

Question 44

Family throughout infancy?

Answer 44

Our first and typically most enduring membership group is family A building block for forming our identity and learning how to function in other social groups Comprises entire social world for most infants

Question 45

How would Binfenbrenners model relate to infants social world?

Answer 45

Mesosystem: neighbourhood childcare Microsystem: home environment parents and siblings Exosystem: system that affects Childs experiences in immediate settings Macrosystem: social customs laws and values

Question 46

Throughout infants first year of life what is typical for parent infant interactions

Answer 46

The parents match the infants actions

Question 47

After the first year of life what is typical of parent infant interactions

Answer 47

The child starts to attempt to imitate or copy their parents For example if a new baby arrives the older children carefully monitor the parents interactions with the new baby

Question 48

What are parent child relationships influenced by

Answer 48

Infants reactions parents temperament and ability to respond to infant Often involve a pattern of close coordination

Question 49

What is Synchrony in parent-child interactions

Answer 49

When parents can sensitively tune their responses to the infants signals Being fully aware of what the baby wants and when

Question 50

Relationships with parents start to change in early childhood. Explain

Answer 50

Children’s increased ability to initiate verbal and physical activity promotes a new set of challenges Parents need to be mindful of the limitations and their developing abilities. This is a balancing act

Question 51

The benefits of siblings throughout early childhood?

Answer 51

They provide children with frequent and reliable companionship and an early chance to socialise with other children

Question 52

Explain the parent child interaction in Middle childhood

Answer 52

Children start to spend less time with their parents and develop other close relationships Siblings again continue to provide support and companionship as well as parents remaining a major influence However they start to understand the parents attitudes beliefs and reasons more because you notice that other families are different you become more aware of different ideas and are able to make judgements

Question 53

Explain the parent child interaction in adolescence

Answer 53

There is a major shift Families adapt to the changing characteristics of one of their members Social networks become wider and more complex and they begin the process of becoming more autonomous

Question 54

There are four different parenting styles according to Baumrind. what are they?

Answer 54

Authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, uninvolved

Question 55

What is an authoritarian parenting style

Answer 55

Low on warmth and responsiveness but a high on control Bossy, old-fashioned parents Anxious, hostile and no-empathy children

Question 56

What is an authoritative parenting style?

Answer 56

Warm, responsive and supportive. High on control but with an emphasis on independent responsibility This is ideal

Question 57

What is a permissive parenting style?

Answer 57

Vary on warmth-cold continuum Low on control Unpredictable parents Impulsive and disobedient children - don’t learn to control emotions

Question 58

What is an uninvolved parenting style?

Answer 58

Low levels of control and warmth. Emotionally detached. Poor self esteem, can’t control or regulate emotions

Question 59

What parenting dimensions can have a negative impact on social emotional development

Answer 59

High levels of overprotection Over control Inconsistent parenting High levels of hostility Lack of warmth

Question 60

What are the different types of families?

Answer 60

``` Nuclear families- 2parents and children Dual income families - becoming more normal Single-parent Extended families Blended families ```

Question 61

Is there any social emotional advantage to growing up in a traditional nuclear family

Answer 61

No there is not Social emotional adjustment is not necessarily associated with family type

Question 62

What are most differences in social emotional development due to

Answer 62

Low income status - added stress Family dysfunction - fighting Family stress and coping Parental nurturance Strength and quality of the family relationships

Question 63

What kind of factors are within the parents control

Answer 63

Those that result in warmer, kinder, more socio-emotionally nurturing families Outside influences can help