Attachment

• What is attachment in the context of caregiver-infant interactions?


  A strong reciprocal emotional bond between an infant and a primary caregiver
• What does reciprocity mean in caregiver-infant interactions?


  It means both the child and caregiver must bond and respond to each other
• How does reciprocity manifest in caregiver-infant interactions?


  When a parent smiles at the child, the child smiles back
• Why is reciprocity important for communication between infants and caregivers?


  It helps the child learn to communicate and allows parents to respond to cues
• What is interactional synchrony?


  When the infant and primary caregiver synchronize their interactions
• How does interactional synchrony affect communication as the child grows older?


  It leads to better communication between the parent and child later on
• What are the advantages of using controlled observations in studies of caregiver-infant interactions?


  • High level of detail and accuracy
  • Valid conclusions can be drawn
  • Inter-rater reliability can be established
• What is a major issue with observing very young children in studies?


  We cannot determine if their actions are meaningful
• What was the aim of Schaffer and Emerson's study (1964)?


  To identify stages of attachment and find a pattern in attachment development
• How many babies participated in Schaffer and Emerson's study?


  60 babies
• What method did Schaffer and Emerson use to gather data?


  They analyzed interactions and interviewed caregivers
• What is separation anxiety in the context of attachment?


  Signs of distress when the caregiver leaves
• What is stranger anxiety?


  Signs of distress in response to a stranger arriving
• What does social referencing involve?


  How often the infant looks at their caregiver to check how to respond
• How long did Schaffer and Emerson's study last?


  18 months
• What did Schaffer and Emerson find about sensitive responsiveness?


  It was more important for attachment than the amount of time spent with the baby
• What did Schaffer and Emerson conclude about interactions and attachment formation?


  Attachments form when the caregiver communicates and plays with the child
• What are the stages of attachment identified by Schaffer?


  1. Asocial stage (0-6 weeks)
  2. Indiscriminate attachments (6 weeks – 6 months)
  3. Specific attachments (7 months +)
  4. Multiple attachments (10/11 months +)
• What characterizes the asocial stage of attachment?


  Infants respond similarly to objects and people, preferring faces and eyes
• What occurs during the indiscriminate attachments stage?


  Infants develop more responses to human company and can be comforted by anyone
• What happens during the specific attachments stage?


  Infants prefer one caregiver and show separation and stranger anxiety
• What is characteristic of the multiple attachments stage?


  Infants form multiple attachments and may show separation anxiety for several people
• What percentage of infants had 5 or more attachments by the end of Schaffer and Emerson's study?


  31%
• What are the limitations of Schaffer and Emerson's study?


  • Lacks population validity (all infants from Glasgow)
  • Small sample size (60 families)
  • Lacks temporal validity (parenting techniques have changed)
  • May lack internal validity (self-report method)
• What is a potential issue with the self-report method used in Schaffer and Emerson's study?


  The accuracy of data collection may be compromised
• What is social desirability bias?


  When parents change/manipulate their reports to appear more socially acceptable
• What did Schaffer and Emerson find about the role of the father in attachment?


  75% of infants formed a secondary attachment to their father by 18 months
• What did Harlow's research with rhesus monkeys demonstrate?


  Contact comfort is more important than food in the development of attachments.
• What behavior did baby monkeys exhibit when scared in Harlow's study?


  They sought comfort from the cloth-bound mother regardless of which mother dispensed milk.
• What developmental issues were found in infant monkeys in Harlow's study?


  They were less skilled at mating, aggressive towards their children, and socially reclusive.
• What does Harlow's research suggest about the importance of secure attachment?


  Secure attachment is crucial within the critical period of the first 30 months of life.
• How can Harlow's research be applied in practical settings like zoos?


  Zoos should ensure animals have opportunities to form attachments for healthy development.
• What ethical issues were associated with Harlow's research?


  Long-term psychological harm was inflicted on the monkeys.
• What should be conducted to assess the ethical implications of Harlow's research?


  A cost-benefit analysis should be conducted.
• What is the Learning Theory of Attachment?


  • Children are born as blank slates.
  • Attachments are learned through experiences.
  • Formed via classical and operant conditioning.
  • 'Cupboard love' concept: attachment to the food provider.
• What is classical conditioning in the context of attachment?


  It is the association between the mother and the pleasure of being fed.
• How does classical conditioning lead to attachment formation?


  The baby associates the mother with the pleasure of being fed, leading to happiness when she is near.
• What is operant conditioning in the context of attachment?


  It is when a child's action triggers a response from the caregiver, reinforcing the behavior.
• How does operant conditioning reinforce attachment behaviors?


  The child associates the caregiver with rewards like attention and food, encouraging crying for more rewards.
• What are the key terms defined in the study material?

  Stimulus, response, and innate.