Introduction to attachment

• What is the main focus of the study on interactions between mothers and infants?

  Patterns of interaction
• Why is it difficult to interpret observations of infants?

  Infants' perspectives are uncertain
• What does Gratier (2003) suggest about mother-infant interactions?

  They show consistent patterns
• What is a limitation of observing mother-infant interactions?

  Uncertainty about the infant's conscious imitation
• What is a strength of controlled observations in mother-infant interactions?

  They capture fine details of behavior
• Why do babies' behaviors remain unchanged during controlled observations?

  They are unaware of being observed
• What does Feldman (2012) say about synchrony and reciprocity?

  They describe behaviors occurring simultaneously
• What is the implication of synchrony and reciprocity in mother-infant interactions?

  They may aid in developing attachment
• What is a finding regarding fathers in attachment research?

  Research findings are inconsistent
• What are the two roles of fathers identified in attachment research?

  Secondary and primary attachment figures
• What does Grossman's study suggest about fathers as secondary attachment figures?

  They play an important role in development
• What do MacCallum and Golombok (2004) find about children in single-parent families?

  They develop similarly to two-parent families
• Why might fathers not become primary attachment figures?

  Due to traditional gender roles
• What biological factor might influence nurturing roles in attachment?

  Female hormones like oestrogen
• Why is research into mother-infant interaction considered socially sensitive?

  It suggests disadvantages from certain practices
• What does Isabella et al. suggest about interactional synchrony?

  It is important for developing attachment
• What is a potential issue with mothers returning to work early?

  It restricts opportunities for interactional synchrony
• What is the definition of reciprocity in caregiver-infant interactions?

  Mutual responses between caregiver and infant
• How is interactional synchrony defined?

  Co-ordination of actions and emotions
• At what age did Meltzoff and Moore observe interactional synchrony?

  As young as two weeks
• What is the significance of the term "interactional synchrony" in attachment research?

  It indicates mirrored actions and emotions
• What does the term "reciprocal" imply in mother-infant interactions?

  Both parties respond to each other
• What is the role of caregiver-infant interactions in social development?

  They are crucial for developing attachment
• What are the key terms related to caregiver-infant interactions?

  • Reciprocity: Mutual responses between caregiver and infant
  • Interactional synchrony: Co-ordination of actions and emotions
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of observational research in attachment studies?

  Strengths:

  • Captures natural behaviors
  • Can reveal patterns of interaction

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Difficult to interpret infant perspectives
  • May not reveal the purpose of behaviors
• What are the implications of traditional gender roles on fatherhood in attachment?

  • Fathers may feel less nurturing
  • Fathers often take on secondary roles
• What are the potential effects of early maternal return to work on attachment?

  • May limit interactional synchrony
  • Could affect attachment quality
• What are the main findings regarding the role of fathers in attachment research?

  • Inconsistent findings across studies
  • Fathers can be secondary or primary attachment figures
• What is the significance of the term "alert phases" in infant interactions?

  • Indicates readiness for interaction
  • Mothers respond to these signals
• How do infants and caregivers interact according to traditional views?

  • Infants seen as passive receivers
  • Caregivers provide care and attention
• What is the role of interactional synchrony in attachment development?

  • Facilitates emotional bonding
  • Enhances communication between caregiver and infant
• Who observed interactional synchrony in infants as young as two weeks old?

  Meltzoff and Moore
• What is interactional synchrony believed to be linked to?

  Development of attachment
• What was the method used to identify infants' responses in the study?

  Responses were filmed and analyzed
• What is a limitation of naturalistic observations in caregiver-infant interactions?

  Uncertainty about the infant's perspective
• What do controlled observations improve in research findings?

  Reliability of findings
• Why are participants in controlled observations less likely to alter their behavior?

  They are unaware of being observed
• What does Feldman (2012) suggest about synchronized behaviors?

  They may not indicate causal connections
• What role does interactional synchrony play in development?

  It is linked to mother-infant attachment
• What is reciprocity in the context of mother-infant interactions?

  • Each person responds to the other
  • Elicits a response from the other
  • Involves close attention to expressions