attachment

• Ainsworth found three main types of attachment style: secure (exploring), avoidant (ignores caregiver) and resistant/anxious (clings onto caregiver).
• Bowlby's theory is supported by research, such as the Harlows monkey studies which showed that infant monkeys preferred to be with their mothers rather than other objects.
• Securely attached children are confident, independent and able to form close relationships with others.
• Insecure-resistant children become very upset if separated from their parent but find it difficult to settle again once they return.
• Insecure-avoidant children tend not to seek comfort from their parents when distressed and may be more aggressive towards other children.
• The Strange Situation procedure was used to test Ainsworth's theory on attachment styles. It involved separating infants from their parents and observing how they reacted when reunited.
• Insecure-avoidant children tend to have low self esteem and may struggle forming close relationships later on in life.
• Securely attached children were more likely to explore new environments and form positive relationships later in life compared to those who had an anxious or avoidant attachment style.
• Children raised in institutions without any human contact show signs of developmental delay and emotional problems.
• Research has shown that infants who have been adopted at birth can still develop secure attachments later on.
• The Ainsworth Strange Situation Test has been used to measure attachment styles in infants and children.
• Children who were neglected or abused in childhood may develop insecure attachments and struggle with forming healthy relationships later in life.
• Attachment styles formed during childhood can influence adult romantic relationships.
• Research has shown that early experiences can have long-lasting effects on an individual's personality development.
• Research has shown that secure attachments can lead to better social skills and emotional wellbeing in adulthood.
• Monkeys preferentially clung onto soft cloth mothers over wire mothers, indicating the need for warmth and affection during childhood.
• Harlow conducted research using monkeys as subjects to investigate the importance of physical touch in infant development.
• Bowlby believed that the quality of early attachments can influence adult relationships, with secure attachments leading to healthy relationships and insecure ones resulting in difficulties forming close bonds.
• Attachment is the affectionate bond between two people, typically parents and their child.
• Ainsworth observed three types of attachment patterns: Secure (Type B), Insecure-Anxious/Resistant (Type C), and Insecure-Avoidant (Type A).
• Avoidance is characterized by a lack of interest in others and difficulty expressing emotions.
• Monotropy is the idea that babies form one strong bond with their main carer (usually mother) and this relationship provides them with security and comfort throughout their lives.
• Bowlby proposed the concept of monotropy, which suggests that humans are born with an innate need for close social bonds with their primary caregiver(s).
• Some cultures prioritize independence and self-reliance, while others emphasize interdependence and cooperation.
• Cultural differences exist in how parents respond to their babies' cries and whether they are more likely to be responsive or dismissive.
• The first six months are crucial for developing a strong attachment, but it continues throughout life.
• RECIPROCITY is when each person responds to the other and elicits a response from them, eg. when mum smiles and the baby smiles back
• interactional synchrony- when 2 people are in sync with each other, they are more likely to be successful in their interactions, when baby and caregiver's actions match each other. Meltzoff and Moore found this starts as early as 2 weeks olf
• Schaffer and Emerson's stage of attachment include:

  1. asocial- first few weeks of life, similar behavior towards people and inanimate objects
  2. indiscriminate- from 2 to 7 months, more observable social behavior is shown, preference towards people no strangers or separation anxiety
  3. specific attachment- from 7 months display stranger/separation anxiety formed primary attachment figure
  4. multiple attachments- formation of secondary attachments
• Schaffer and Emerson's study-

  • 60 babies from working-class families from Glasgow
  • visited every month for the first year and again at 18 months
  • questioned the mothers on the babies behaviour
• AO3 for S&E

  • good external validity- babies behaved naturally due to no interference from observers
  • social desirability bias from the mothers
  • misremembering information
  • poor evidence for asocial stage- difficult to observe newborns
  • real world application- practical application in planning when to start daycare
• fathers only tend to be the sole primary attachment figures 3% of the time and 27% when a joint primary attachment with the mother

  • Schaffer and Emerson
• Grossman et al (2002) conducted a longitudinal study where babies' attachments was followed into their teens. Found that the quality of attachment with the mother affected future attachments with others, not fathers. The quality of a father's play with the baby affects adolescent attachments - fathers have a role of play and stimulation.
• Field (1978) filmed 4-month-old babies in face-to-face interactions with primary caregiver mothers, primary caregiver fathers, and secondary caregiver fathers. PCG mothers and fathers displayed similar characteristics of reciprocity and interactional synchrony. Fathers can provide emotional stimulation but only as PCGs.
• What is a significant issue in the research on the role of the father?

  There is a lack of clarity in research questions, leading to different interpretations.
• How does conflicting evidence impact the understanding of the father's role in child development?


  It creates uncertainty about the importance of fathers in stimulation and play.
• What does Grossman highlight about the father's role?


  Grossman highlights that a father is important in stimulation and play.
• What do McCallum and Golombock find regarding children growing up in lesbian households?


  They consistently find that children from lesbian households do not come out different.
• In the context of single mothers or lesbian parents, who takes on the role of the "father"?

  The single mother or one parent in the lesbian couple takes on the role of the "father".
• What is the real-world application of research on the role of the father?

  • Provides advice to parents about primary caregivers
  • Informs attachment styles for:
  • Heterosexual parents
  • Single mothers
  • Lesbian parents