12. Attachment

• What is the definition of attachment?

  A close two way emotional bond between two individuals where each individual sees the other as essential for their own emotional security.
• How long does it take for attachment to develop in humans?


  A few months
• What are the signs of attachment in caregiver-infant interactions?


  • Proximity: Staying physically close
  • Separation Distress: Distress when apart
  • Secure-base behaviour: Regular contact during play
• What is the key term that describes the mutual exchange in caregiver-infant interactions?

  Reciprocity
• What do alert phases in babies indicate?

  They signal readiness to interact
• What is reciprocity in the context of caregiver-infant interactions?

  A 'dance' where mum and baby respond
• How does interactional synchrony manifest between mother and infant?

  Actions and emotions mirror each other
• Who conducted a study on infants and adult facial expressions?

  Meltzoff & Moore displayed 3 different facial expressions and gestures.
• What was the main finding of Meltzoff & Moore's study?

  Association between adult and infant actions
• What did Isabella's study assess?

  Degree of synchrony and quality of attachment, high levels of synchrony was associated with better quality attachments but only correlational.
• What was the correlation found in Isabella's study?

  High synchrony linked to better quality attachments
• What did Tronick's study demonstrate about infant interaction?

  Infants need interaction to avoid distress
• What are the key points of AO3 evaluation of studies on attachment?

  • Many studies show similar interaction patterns
  • High validity due to detailed observations
  • Research may be socially sensitive
• What does Gratier's finding suggest about mother-infant interactions?

  They are significant for relationship development
• What is a counter-argument regarding infant imitation in attachment studies?

  Imitation may not be conscious or meaningful
• Why is the validity of attachment studies considered high?

  Interactions are filmed from multiple angles
• What is a limitation of observations in attachment studies?

  They do not explain the purpose of synchrony
• What is socially sensitive research in the context of attachment studies?

  Research that may cause distress or guilt
• What percentage of infants formed an attachment with their father by 18 months according to Schaffer & Emerson?

  75%
• What did Grossman's longitudinal study find about fathers' roles?

  Attachments were better in fathers that provide play and stimulation
• What did Field's studies reveal about primary caregiver fathers?

  They can be as nurturing as mothers
• What is the key factor in a father's nurturing role?

  Level of responsiveness
• What happens when a mother interacts with her baby according to Tronick's study?

  Baby laughs, talks, and plays
• What is the baby's response when the mother does not interact?

  Baby cries and is in distress
• What conclusion can be drawn about the importance of reciprocity and interactional synchrony from Tronick's study?

  Babies need interaction to avoid distress
• What does Gratier's report suggest about infant-mother interactions?

  • Represents significant part of relationship development
  • Many studies show similar interaction patterns
• What is a counter-argument regarding infants' imitation of adults' signals?

  It's unclear if imitation is conscious or meaningful
• Why is the research on infant-mother interactions considered to have high validity?

  Interactions are filmed from multiple angles
• How do babies respond to being observed in research studies?

  They are not affected by demand characteristics
• What is a limitation of observations in studies of synchrony and reciprocity?

  They do not explain the purpose of these interactions
• What are the implications of socially sensitive research on child-rearing practices?

  • May cause distress or guilt for parents
  • Working mothers may feel judged or criticized
  • Findings can lead to feelings of inadequacy
• What should researchers consider when revealing findings from socially sensitive research?

  Care must be taken to avoid distress
• What might working mothers feel if their baby is more securely attached to the father?

  They may feel judged as 'cold' or 'unnatural'
• What are the potential consequences of revealing findings from sensitive research to parents?

  • Parents may experience guilt or distress
  • Findings could lead to feelings of inadequacy
  • Careful communication is essential
• What do the stages of attachment refer to?

  Behaviors linked to age towards others
• What are multiple attachments?

  Attachments to 2 or more adults formed after primary attachment
• What is the first stage of Schaffer's stages of attachment?

  Asocial Stage
• What characterizes the Asocial Stage?

  Behaves the same towards objects and humans
• How do babies behave during the Asocial Stage?

  Happier in the presence of people
• What is the age range for the Indiscriminate Attachment stage?

  2-7 months