5 Questions
What did John Bowlby propose about children and their primary attachment figures?
Children are pre-programmed from birth to develop attachments with primary attachment figures
What is the role of a secondary attachment figure in a child's life?
Provide children security in the absence of their primary attachment figure
What is the function of attachment behaviors in infants?
Allow infants to stay close to their attachment figure by demonstrating emotional signaling behaviors such as crying and smiling
What did Bowlby propose about the stages of attachment development in children's first three years of life?
Bowlby proposed there were four stages of attachment development
What did Ainsworth do in relation to the stages of attachment development proposed by Bowlby?
Ainsworth assigned specific titles to the stages of attachment development proposed by Bowlby
Study Notes
Attachment Theory
- John Bowlby proposed that children form attachment to their primary caregivers, which is essential for their emotional and social development.
Primary and Secondary Attachment Figures
- Primary attachment figures are the main caregivers, usually the mother, who provide comfort, security, and nurturing.
- Secondary attachment figures are other caregivers, such as fathers, grandparents, or caregivers, who provide additional comfort and support.
Functions of Attachment Behaviors
- Attachment behaviors in infants, such as crying, sucking, and clinging, serve to maintain proximity to their caregivers, ensuring their survival and safety.
Stages of Attachment Development
- John Bowlby proposed that attachment develops in three stages during a child's first three years:
- Pre-attachment (0-3 months): Infants exhibit indiscriminate behaviors towards caregivers.
- Attachment-in-the-making (3-6 months): Infants start to discriminate between caregivers and strangers.
- Clear-cut attachment (6-24 months): Infants develop a secure attachment to their primary caregivers.
Ainsworth's Contribution
- Mary Ainsworth built upon Bowlby's stages of attachment development by creating the "strange situation" experiment, which identified three attachment styles: secure, anxious-resistant, and avoidant.
- Ainsworth's work expanded our understanding of attachment patterns and their implications for a child's social and emotional development.
Test your knowledge of attachment theory with this quiz! Explore the concepts of attachment, attachment behaviors, and the influential work of John Bowlby in understanding the emotional bonds between individuals.
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