Emotional and Social Development in Early Childhood

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Questions and Answers

What is emotional attachment between an infant and a caregiver?

A strong emotional bond providing security and comfort (correct)

A form of discipline to promote obedience

A way to teach independence

A type of play therapy

What is the main reason human babies are dependent on others according to the text?

Because they are curious

Because they need to explore the world

Because they are relatively helpless (correct)

Because they are born with social needs

According to Attachment Theory, what do infants show through their behavior?

Independence from caregivers

Fear of strangers

Proximity-seeking behaviors (correct)

Aggression towards caregivers

What is the origin of Attachment Theory?

John Bowlby's studies of maternal deprivation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of emotional attachment?

To provide a safe base to explore the world Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of human babies, according to the text?

They are born with social needs and innate tendencies to seek direct contact with adults Signup and view all the answers

What was the conclusion drawn by Bowlby in 1953?

Prolonged deprivation of maternal care may have grave effects on a child's life. Signup and view all the answers

What was common among 'juvenile delinquents', children in hospital for a long term, and children raised without maternal care?

They all grew less well and had retarded physical, emotional, or intellectual development. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary finding of Harlow's 'Monkey Love Experiments'?

Comfort and affection are more important than food in mother-infant bonding. Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of monkeys that could get comfort from the towel-covered 'monkey' in Harlow's experiment?

They were better adjusted physically and mentally. Signup and view all the answers

What did Harlow's research suggest about the development of a child's love for their caregiver?

It is purely emotional. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary conclusion of Harlow's 'Monkey Love Experiments'?

Comfort and affection are more important than food in mother-infant bonding. Signup and view all the answers

What was observed in children who were raised without maternal care?

They grew less well and had retarded physical, emotional, or intellectual development. Signup and view all the answers

What was the common characteristic of children who were raised in correctional institutions, children in hospital for a long term, and children raised without maternal care?

They all had superficially friendly and unstable relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What was the condition suffered by the Czech twins due to lack of vitamin D?

Rickets Signup and view all the answers

At what age were the Czech twins rescued and found?

7 years old Signup and view all the answers

What was the predicted outcome for the Czech twins' development?

They would remain behind in intellectual development Signup and view all the answers

What did the Czech twins go on to train in?

Electronics Signup and view all the answers

What is still unclear about attachment?

If it is both biologically determined and socially acquired Signup and view all the answers

What are attachments, according to the content?

The first relationships a child forms with important others Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the Czech twins after they were rescued?

They were placed in a school for children with severe learning difficulties Signup and view all the answers

At what age had the Czech twins' speech become normal?

By 11 years old Signup and view all the answers

According to Bowlby, what is the primary reason why infants form attachments?

To ensure physical survival Signup and view all the answers

What age range is associated with 'Attachments in the making' phase?

2-7 months Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of 'Specific, clear-cut attachments' phase?

Seperation anxiety and stranger anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the 'Strange Situation' experiment to investigate attachment types?

Ainsworth Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Bowlby's theory?

The role of the single primary caregiver Signup and view all the answers

What is the age range associated with the 'Goal-coordinated partnerships' phase?

24 months Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the experiment developed by Ainsworth to investigate attachment types?

The Strange Situation Signup and view all the answers

According to Ainsworth, what is more important for attachment?

Social relationships Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Strange Situation experiment?

To observe and classify infant attachment patterns Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between deprivation and separation?

Deprivation is a result of separation, and vice versa Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of the Adult Attachment Interview?

To explore current representations of past attachment experiences Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the researcher who studied the case of the Czech twins?

Jarmila Koluchova Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a 'wild child' or 'feral child'?

A child who was raised without human interaction Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that can influence the nature of attachment?

The caregiver's responsiveness and sensitivity Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the YouTube video that demonstrates the Strange Situation experiment?

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH1m_ZMO7GU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH1m_ZMO7GU</a> Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of long-term deprivation on infant development?

Severe developmental and attachment problems Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Children are born with social needs and innate tendencies to seek direct contact with adults, usually mothers.
Human babies are relatively helpless and need others to survive.

What is Attachment?

Attachment is the first social relationship and a strong emotional bond between an infant and a caregiver, providing security and comfort.
It provides a safe base for the infant to explore the world.
Attachment is identified through proximity-seeking behaviors, where infants like to be near those they are attached to.

Attachment Theory

Attachment Theory explains emotional relationships and caregiver-infant interactions.
It grew out of John Bowlby's studies of maternal deprivation from the 1950s.
Infants show their attachment through proximity-seeking behaviors.

Evidence for Maternal Deprivation

Maternal deprivation can have grave and far-reaching effects on a child's character and future life.
Examples of maternal deprivation include:
- "Juvenile delinquents" raised in correction institutions.
- Children in hospitals for long periods.
- Children raised without maternal care.
These children often:
- Grew less well.
- Had "retarded" physical, emotional, or intellectual development.
- Were superficially friendly and unstable in their relationships.

Harlow's Experiments

Harlow's "Monkey Love Experiments" showed that comfort is important for developing monkeys and that the need for affection creates a stronger bond between mother and infant than physical needs (food).
His research suggested that the development of a child's love for their caregiver is emotional rather than physiological.

Bowlby's Phases of Attachment Formation

Phase 1: Indiscriminant Sociability (0-2 months): Infant shows no preference among caregivers.
Phase 2: Attachments in the Making (2-7 months): Increasing preference for most familiar and responsive individuals.
Phase 3: Specific, Clear-Cut Attachments (7-24 months): Infant displays separation anxiety and stranger anxiety.
Phase 4: Goal-Coordinated Partnerships (24 months): Infant can increasingly tolerate short parental absences.

Why Do Infants Form Attachments?

Infants form attachments because it promotes survival.
An infant's emotional tie with its mother (principal caregiver) evolved because it promotes survival.
Early interactions with a parent are crucial to "normal development."

Bowlby's Theory in Brief

Bowlby emphasized the importance of the relationship between a child and a single primary caregiver.
He believed that this attachment occurred instinctively, leading to changes in policy and practice in institutions.

Critiquing the Evidence

Some studies have small sample sizes, such as Bowlby's study of only 14 juveniles.
Sweeping conclusions may be drawn from limited evidence.

Attachment Types

There are different types of attachment, reflecting differences in patterns of interaction with the mother.
The attachment type dictates present and future patterns of relationships.

Investigating Attachment Types

The Strange Situation (Ainsworth 1978) is a method used to investigate attachment types.
It involves a 20-minute session in a lab where the mother and 12-month-old child are introduced to an experimenter.
The mother leaves the room for three minutes, and the child is left alone with the experimenter.
The mother returns, reunites with the child, and then both the mother and experimenter leave the room for three minutes and return.

The Strange Situation

The situation is videotaped to observe differences in coping with the stress of separation.
Four different types of attachment are identified: secure, anxious-avoidant, anxious-resistant, and disorganized-disoriented.

Factors that Influence Attachment

Caregiver's responsiveness and sensitivity.
Baby's temperament.
Cultural and environmental factors.
Deprivation: separation from a main caregiver, leading to a break in attachment.

Inter-generational Transmission of Attachment

Childhood attachment experiences can have an impact on adults in their attachment with their own children.
The Adult Attachment Interview (George, Kaplan & Main, 1985) uses current representations of past attachment experiences.

Defining Deprivation and Separation

Deprivation refers to the break in an infant's attachment with its main caregiver, either short-term or long-term.
Separation refers to when an infant is no longer with its main caregiver for some reason, again either short-term or long-term.
Separation leads to deprivation.

Case Study: Genie and Other Deprived Children

Genie, a child who was isolated and deprived of social interaction, showed significant developmental delays.
Other examples of deprived children include "wild children" and feral children.
Evidence from Eastern European countries following the collapse of communism, such as the Czech twins, also shows the effects of deprivation on development.

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Description

Explore the importance of emotional and social development in early childhood, including attachment styles, identification, and impact on childcare. Learn how attachment styles can be changed and their lifetime effects.