CH 6 - Early Bonding Behaviors in Infants

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Questions and Answers

At what age do infants typically begin to form specific bonds to particular individuals?

6-7 months (correct)

2-3 months

8-9 months

10-12 months

Which sensory cues do newborn infants use to recognize their parents?

Sound, smell, and touch

Taste and touch

Smell and sight (correct)

Hearing and taste

What specific behavior marks the shift towards forming specific bonds by infants?

Smiling most in the presence of specific individuals (correct)

Refusing to eat

Turning away from strangers

Crying excessively

What type of distress do most infants exhibit at around 8 months of age when separated from caregivers?

Emotional distress Signup and view all the answers

How do learning theory approaches explain the development of attachment between infants and caregivers?

By highlighting environmental reinforcement and learned associations Signup and view all the answers

According to learning theory, what reinforces the bond between infants and caregivers?

'Positive stimuli in the environment' Signup and view all the answers

What drives does learning theory reframe in terms of tangible physiological constructs?

'Oral gratification' and 'pleasure seeking' Signup and view all the answers

When do infants become more adept at maintaining proximity to their caregivers?

'Around 8 months of age' Signup and view all the answers

What is the main criticism of learning theory in relation to attachment development?

Neglecting cognitive aspects of attachment development Signup and view all the answers

Which behavior is considered crucial for forming attachment bonds, especially when infants feel scared or anxious?

Clinging Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the social smile in attachment development?

It fosters emotional bonds between infants and caregivers Signup and view all the answers

What hormone is associated with feelings of trust and affection and is triggered by the infant's smile?

Oxytocin Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the rhythmic pattern of interactions crucial for forming attachment bonds between infants and caregivers?

Contingent Responding Signup and view all the answers

How do studies indicate infants are likely to develop higher-quality attachments with their caregivers?

By experiencing fewer negative reactions to a still-face task Signup and view all the answers

Which cultural influence can shape patterns of contingent responding between infants and caregivers?

Cultural practices Signup and view all the answers

What can vary across cultures in terms of attachment behaviors in caregiver-infant interactions?

Visual responses Signup and view all the answers

What type of attachment is characterized by infants showing high levels of distress upon separation and ambivalence upon reunion?

Insecure-ambivalent attachment Signup and view all the answers

When do complex emotions typically emerge in infants?

1-2 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the still-face experiment?

To demonstrate the importance of contingent responding in infant-caregiver interactions Signup and view all the answers

Which emotion can infants distinguish between at 2 months of age?

Sadness vs. Anger Signup and view all the answers

What type of parental behavior can lead to insecure-avoidant attachment in infants?

Intrusive and unresponsive caregiving Signup and view all the answers

Which behavior indicates that infants are vulnerable social partners during the still-face phase?

Signs of distress, agitation, or withdrawal Signup and view all the answers

Which emotion requires more sophisticated cognitive processes and often has social and cultural influences?

Embarrassment Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of joint attention in infants' development?

Fostering language development and social interaction skills Signup and view all the answers

What role do social and cultural contexts play in emotional development according to the text?

They have a significant influence on shaping emotions beyond basic levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between the Learning and Functionalist perspectives on emotional development mentioned in the text?

Learning emphasizes communication while Functionalist emphasizes goals Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between basic emotions and complex emotions?

Complex emotions require cognitive abilities and self-consciousness. Signup and view all the answers

How do infants demonstrate sensitivity to changes in their social environment?

By engaging in typical interactive behaviors with the caregiver Signup and view all the answers

What does emotional regulation involve according to the text?

Managing emotional reactions by directly influencing physiological responses Signup and view all the answers

Which concept refers to a mental representation individuals have about themselves and others based on early attachment experiences?

Internal Working Model Signup and view all the answers

In the Strange Situation Procedure, what is a characteristic of infants with insecure-avoidant attachment?

Less distressed upon separation and avoid contact with the caregiver upon reunion Signup and view all the answers

What is social referencing and its impact on infants' behavior?

Reliance on others to interpret various situations, influencing behavior and reactions Signup and view all the answers

What type of attachment arises when caregivers are abusive, neglectful, or inconsistent in their behavior towards infants?

Disorganized/Disoriented attachment Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy for emotional regulation involves changing the environment or context?

Situation modification Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of attunement in relationships according to the text?

Physiological and emotional sensing of others' rhythms Signup and view all the answers

What do infants typically engage in to manage strong emotions according to the text?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

How does gaze following contribute to infants' understanding of shared attention?

By following the gazes of others and attending to objects and individuals alternately Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of response modification strategies in emotional regulation according to the text?

Inhibition of motor movements associated with extreme distress Signup and view all the answers

How do inconsistent parental responses impact infants' development of attachment?

They can result in insecure-ambivalent attachment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main influence of attachment relationships on infants' perceptions and behaviors?

Affecting emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in close relationships Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infants do not display specific bonds to particular individuals at birth, but by 6-7 months, they form bonds with parents, marked by behaviors like smiling.
Separation distress emerges around 8 months of age, indicating attachment to specific caregivers.

Learning Theory

Focuses on explaining attachment through behavior and environmental reinforcement.
Bonds develop through associations between behaviors and positive stimuli, such as feeding.
Criticized for neglecting cognitive aspects of attachment development and struggling to explain enduring bonds despite negative interactions.

Ethological Theory (John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth)

Views attachment as an evolutionary and comparative process crucial for offspring survival across species.
Attachment is defined as behaviors setting up and maintaining bonds between offspring and parents.
Emphasizes the functional role of attachment behaviors in ensuring parental care and offspring survival.

Attachment Behaviors

Smiling: communicates positive emotions and builds connections with caregivers.
Clinging: seeks comfort and safety when feeling scared or anxious.
Touch: provides feelings of love, security, and reassurance.

Development of Attachment

Four phases, from pre-attachment to reciprocal relationships, emphasizing attachment behaviors in creating and maintaining bonds.
Distinguishes attachment from dependency, highlighting active engagement by the infant.

A fundamental building block for attachment, fostering emotional bonds and facilitating positive interactions.
Triggers oxytocin release in caregivers, promoting trust and affection.

Contingent Responding

Crucial for forming attachment bonds, infants expect caregivers to respond to their social cues.
Cultural influences shape patterns of contingent responding, with differences in how caregivers respond to infant vocalizations.

Still-Face Experiment

Demonstrates the importance of contingent responding and highlights how disruptions affect infant emotional well-being.
Reveals insights into attachment relationships and how early experiences shape social and emotional development.

Infants actively engage in social interactions, expecting reciprocal responses from caregivers.
Infants are highly dependent on caregivers for emotional support, regulation, and responsiveness to their needs.

Infants rely on caregiver expressions and behaviors to interpret situations.
Influences infant behavior and reactions, particularly in novel or uncertain situations.

Joint Attention and Gaze Following

Infants engage in joint attention, fostering language development and social interaction skills.
Demonstrate gaze following, understanding shared attention and intentions.

Attachment Styles

Secure Attachment (Type B): Trust and confidence in caregiver availability for comfort and support.
Insecure-Avoidant Attachment (Type A): Less distressed upon separation, avoiding contact upon reunion.
Insecure-Ambivalent Attachment (Type C): High distress upon separation, ambivalence upon reunion.
Disorganized/Disoriented Attachment (Type D): Contradictory behaviors, lacking a clear strategy for dealing with distress.

Influences on Attachment

Caregiver responsiveness: Consistency and emotional availability impact attachment styles.
Parental anxiety and father figure presence influence attachment security.

Internal Working Model

A mental representation of the self and others in different circumstances.
Influences approach to relationships, attachment-related needs, and interpretations of others' behaviors.

Emotions

Basic emotions: joy, sadness, disgust, surprise, anger, and fear.
Complex emotions: combinations of basic emotions, requiring self-awareness and cognitive abilities.
Cultural influences shape emotional development and expression.

Emotional Regulation

Involves processes influencing emotional experiences, timing, and expression.
Conscious and unconscious processes, such as situation modification, attentional deployment, and response modification, help regulate emotions.

Developmental Progression of Emotional Regulation

Infants and caregivers modify situations to reduce emotional intensity.
Attentional deployment and response modification strategies develop throughout infancy and early childhood.

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Description

Learn about the development of bonding behaviors in newborn infants and how they form specific bonds with individuals, usually their parents, around 6 to 7 months of age. Explore the shift marked by behaviors like smiling and distress when separated from specific individuals.