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Questions and Answers
What is a key characteristic of securely attached children?
What is a key characteristic of securely attached children?
What leads to the development of ambivalent-insecure attachment?
What leads to the development of ambivalent-insecure attachment?
Children with avoidant-insecure attachment typically display what kind of behavior?
Children with avoidant-insecure attachment typically display what kind of behavior?
Which statement accurately describes disorganized-insecure attachment?
Which statement accurately describes disorganized-insecure attachment?
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How does secure attachment influence adult relationships?
How does secure attachment influence adult relationships?
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Which of the following behaviors would NOT likely be associated with ambivalent-insecure attachment?
Which of the following behaviors would NOT likely be associated with ambivalent-insecure attachment?
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What emotional response is typical in children with avoidant-insecure attachment?
What emotional response is typical in children with avoidant-insecure attachment?
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What is a common characteristic of children with disorganized-insecure attachment?
What is a common characteristic of children with disorganized-insecure attachment?
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What primary factor did Harlow's Monkey Experiment reveal as more important for attachment than nourishment?
What primary factor did Harlow's Monkey Experiment reveal as more important for attachment than nourishment?
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What characterizes secure attachment in children?
What characterizes secure attachment in children?
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Which attachment style is likely a result of unreliable caregiving?
Which attachment style is likely a result of unreliable caregiving?
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What is a potential outcome of avoidant-insecure attachment in adult relationships?
What is a potential outcome of avoidant-insecure attachment in adult relationships?
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What was the main purpose of Mary Ainsworth's Strange Situation experiment?
What was the main purpose of Mary Ainsworth's Strange Situation experiment?
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Disorganized-insecure attachment is often a result of:
Disorganized-insecure attachment is often a result of:
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An individual with ambivalent attachment may exhibit what behavior in relationships?
An individual with ambivalent attachment may exhibit what behavior in relationships?
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Which category describes the attachment behavior of children who show little distress during separation?
Which category describes the attachment behavior of children who show little distress during separation?
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What is attachment primarily defined as?
What is attachment primarily defined as?
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What aspect of early childhood does Bowlby's Theory emphasize as critical for future relationships?
What aspect of early childhood does Bowlby's Theory emphasize as critical for future relationships?
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In Harlow's Monkey Experiment, what was the primary finding regarding the source of attachment?
In Harlow's Monkey Experiment, what was the primary finding regarding the source of attachment?
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What did Harlow conclude about emotional development based on his experiments?
What did Harlow conclude about emotional development based on his experiments?
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What was the main purpose of Ainsworth's Strange Situation Experiment?
What was the main purpose of Ainsworth's Strange Situation Experiment?
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What was a unique aspect of the participants studied in Ainsworth's Strange Situation?
What was a unique aspect of the participants studied in Ainsworth's Strange Situation?
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Which factor did Harlow identify as being more important than meeting physiological needs?
Which factor did Harlow identify as being more important than meeting physiological needs?
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Which of the following best describes Bowlby's notion of attachment?
Which of the following best describes Bowlby's notion of attachment?
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What characterizes individuals with secure attachment in their relationships?
What characterizes individuals with secure attachment in their relationships?
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How do preoccupied/anxious individuals typically behave in relationships?
How do preoccupied/anxious individuals typically behave in relationships?
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What is a common trait of dismissive/avoidant individuals in their emotional behavior?
What is a common trait of dismissive/avoidant individuals in their emotional behavior?
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Which attachment style is likely to result in better emotional regulation during childhood?
Which attachment style is likely to result in better emotional regulation during childhood?
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What is a frequent behavior of individuals with fearful/disorganized attachment?
What is a frequent behavior of individuals with fearful/disorganized attachment?
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How does secure attachment contribute to cognitive development in children?
How does secure attachment contribute to cognitive development in children?
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What effect does attachment have on social competence in children?
What effect does attachment have on social competence in children?
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Why are early attachment styles important for later life?
Why are early attachment styles important for later life?
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Study Notes
Definition of Attachment
- A deep and enduring emotional bond between two people, lasting across time and space.
Key Experiments in Attachment Research
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Harlow's Monkey Experiment (1958)
- Baby monkeys preferred a cloth mother for comfort, even when a wire mother provided food.
- Demonstrated that affection and comfort are more important than nourishment for attachment.
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Strange Situation (1970)
- Developed by Mary Ainsworth to observe different attachment styles in children.
- Consists of 8 stages analyzing the child's behavior with and without the mother.
- Led to the identification of different attachment styles.
Attachment Styles
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Secure Attachment
- Trust, comfort with intimacy, belief in being worthy of love.
- Children show distress when separated from caregivers but joy when reunited.
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Ambivalent-Insecure Attachment (Anxious)
- Children are very distressed when separated.
- Caused by unreliable caregiving, inconsistent in meeting the child's emotional needs.
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Avoidant-Insecure Attachment
- Children avoid caregivers and show little distress during separation.
- Caused by caregivers ignoring or dismissing attempts at closeness, leading to emotional self-reliance.
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Disorganized-Insecure Attachment
- Children show confusing and contradictory behaviors towards caregivers.
- Linked to a caregiver being both a source of fear and comfort, causing insecurity.
Impacts of Attachment on Later Life
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Secure Attachment
- Leads to balanced relationships, comfortable with intimacy and independence.
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Ambivalent (Anxious)
- Individuals may be overly dependent and constantly seek reassurance in relationships.
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Avoidant
- People tend to be more self-sufficient and detached in relationships.
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Disorganized
- This may result in erratic behaviors in adult relationships, as individuals desire intimacy but fear vulnerability.
Bowlby's Theory (1969)
- Early childhood experiences, especially interactions with primary caregivers, shape a person’s ability to form healthy relationships later in life.
- Attachment is a "lasting psychological connectedness" between humans.
Harlow's Monkey Experiment (1958)
- Objective: To understand if the mother-child bond is based on nourishment or comfort.
- Method: Baby monkeys were placed in a cage with a wire mother (food) and a cloth mother (comfort).
- Findings: Monkeys preferred the cloth mother, even though it didn't provide nourishment.
- Conclusion: Affection and emotional comfort are essential for forming attachments.
Strange Situation Experiment (1970)
- Conducted by: Mary Ainsworth
- Objective: To assess how infants respond to separations and reunions with their mothers.
- Method: The experiment involved 8 stages, including the mother leaving the child alone with a stranger, and observing the child's response when the mother returned.
- Findings: Ainsworth identified different attachment styles based on the children's responses.
Types of Attachment Styles
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Secure Attachment
- Children show distress when the caregiver leaves but are quickly comforted when they return.
- They trust their caregiver and feel safe exploring their environment.
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Ambivalent-Insecure Attachment
- Children become highly distressed when separated from their caregiver but are not easily comforted upon reunion.
- They might show anger towards the caregiver for leaving.
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Avoidant-Insecure Attachment
- Children avoid their caregivers and show little emotional response when separated or reunited.
- They often appear emotionally distant.
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Disorganized-Insecure Attachment
- Children display confusing and erratic behavior towards their caregivers.
- This style combines both avoidant and anxious behaviors.
Attachment Styles and Later Life
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Secure Attachment
- Individuals are comfortable with both intimacy and independence.
- They can form trusting, healthy relationships.
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Preoccupied/Anxious Attachment
- Individuals crave intimacy but struggle with insecurity.
- They may become overly dependent on their partners and constantly seek reassurance.
-
Dismissive/Avoidant Attachment
- They tend to value independence and avoid close emotional ties.
- They may seem emotionally distant or uninterested in intimacy.
-
Fearful/Disorganized Attachment
- Individuals desire close relationships but are afraid of being hurt.
- They may alternate between seeking closeness and pushing others away.
Impact of Early Attachment on Development
- Emotional Regulation: Securely attached children regulate their emotions better.
- Social Competence: Secure attachment is linked to better social skills, empathy, and healthy peer relationships.
- Cognitive Development: Secure attachment can create a safe environment to explore, promoting cognitive and learning development.
Summary of Key Concepts
- Attachment is more than a physiological need.
- Early attachment styles shape how people view themselves and their relationships later in life.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of attachment theory, including key experiments such as Harlow's monkey study and the Strange Situation developed by Mary Ainsworth. This quiz will test your understanding of attachment styles and their implications for emotional bonds between individuals.
