Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which type of attachment is characterized by infants who avoid interaction with their mother and show little distress upon separation?
Which type of attachment is characterized by infants who avoid interaction with their mother and show little distress upon separation?
What behavior is primarily associated with Type C (Ambivalent) infants during reunions?
What behavior is primarily associated with Type C (Ambivalent) infants during reunions?
Which study suggested that secure attachment in infancy predicts social confidence at nursery school by age 3?
Which study suggested that secure attachment in infancy predicts social confidence at nursery school by age 3?
In the Strange Situation assessments, which type of attachment was most commonly found in the United States?
In the Strange Situation assessments, which type of attachment was most commonly found in the United States?
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What major critique was made regarding Type D attachment?
What major critique was made regarding Type D attachment?
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What did Takahashi's study on Japanese children indicate about attachment behaviors?
What did Takahashi's study on Japanese children indicate about attachment behaviors?
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Which type of attachment was associated with increased anger in children according to Kochanska's longitudinal study?
Which type of attachment was associated with increased anger in children according to Kochanska's longitudinal study?
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What was the primary finding of the NICHD Study regarding the Strange Situation?
What was the primary finding of the NICHD Study regarding the Strange Situation?
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What is the primary phase during which infants cannot distinguish between individuals?
What is the primary phase during which infants cannot distinguish between individuals?
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At what age do infants typically begin to favor specific individuals?
At what age do infants typically begin to favor specific individuals?
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According to Bowlby, what is established during the goal-corrected partnership phase?
According to Bowlby, what is established during the goal-corrected partnership phase?
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What percentage of infants formed multiple attachments by 18 months according to Schaffer and Emerson?
What percentage of infants formed multiple attachments by 18 months according to Schaffer and Emerson?
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What was the main observation about infants' attachment behavior in the Strange Situation experiment?
What was the main observation about infants' attachment behavior in the Strange Situation experiment?
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Which of the following is characteristic of the proximity maintenance phase?
Which of the following is characteristic of the proximity maintenance phase?
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In many cultures, what role do other individuals play in an infant's life according to the survey of non-industrial societies?
In many cultures, what role do other individuals play in an infant's life according to the survey of non-industrial societies?
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What is the term used to describe the phase when infants develop fears of strangers?
What is the term used to describe the phase when infants develop fears of strangers?
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Study Notes
Infant Attachment
- Infants explore their environment, seek physical activity, and check in with their caregivers
- A secure base refers to the infant returning to the mother for reassurance
- John Bowlby developed a framework to understand early attachments
Attachment Phases
- Internal Orientation: This phase lasts for the first few months, infants cannot differentiate between individuals.
- Preference Formation: Infants begin to favor specific individuals around 5 to 7 months, marked by increased smiling and comfort-seeking behaviors.
- Proximity Maintenance: From 7 to 9 months infants seek to stay close to their caregivers, may crawl to them or protest separation, fear of strangers develops during this phase.
- Goal-Corrected Partnership: A more reciprocal relationship emerges around 3 years of age (Bowlby).
- Abstract Relationship: Attachment becomes based on abstract concepts like trust and affection, an internal working model is developed
Ainsworth's Attachment Theory
- Infants display preference for their mothers, seek comfort from them, and experience distress upon separation
- Mothers provide a secure base for the child
Schaffer and Emerson's Study
- Infants showed distress upon separation from caregivers
- Multiple attachments increased from 29% to 87% within 18 months of age
- One-third of infants developed a stronger attachment to a figure other than the mother
- Responsiveness was the primary factor in attachment formation
Cross Cultural Variations in Attachment
- In some societies, infants develop an attachment to their mothers and nurses
- Infants raised in communal nurseries develop attachments to multiple individuals, including mothers and nurses
- Mothers worked in fields and left infants with grandparents or siblings, returning for breastfeeding
- A survey of 186 non-industrial societies found that the mother was considered the “almost exclusive” caretaker in only 5 societies.
- In 40% of societies, other individuals significantly contributed to infant care
- In 80% of societies, others played essential roles in early childhood
The Strange Situation
- Developed by Ainsworth to assess attachment styles
- Comprises several steps involving the infant, a stranger, and their primary caregiver
- Steps include:
- Initial exploration together
- Introduction of a stranger
- Separation from the caregiver
- Reunion with the caregiver
- Alone with the stranger
- Reunion with the caregiver
Types of Attachment
- Type A (Avoidant): Displays avoidance of interaction with the mother upon reunion, minimal distress during separation
- Type B (Secure): Seeks proximity to the mother, especially upon reunion, distress during separation
- Type C (Ambivalent/Resistant): Resistance to proximity upon reunion but seeks closeness, exhibits both seeking and rejecting behaviors
- Type D (Disorganized): Not a clear attachment pattern, displays a bizarre response to separation and reunion
Critiques of Attachment Theory
- Forced inclusion of Type D before its introduction
- Alternative method: Adult Attachment Interview (AAI)
- Attachment is based on the relationship, not just individual characteristics
- Infants may have attachments to fathers
- Suggestion that insecure attachments are maladaptive
Attachment and Child Development
-
Secure Attachment at 12 Months:
- Predictive of curiosity, problem-solving skills (age 2), social confidence (age 3), empathy, and independence (age 5)
-
Secure Attachment and Reduced Behavioural Problems:
- Predictive of fewer behavioral problems in boys by age 6 (Lewis, et al., 1984)
-
Longitudinal Study of Attachment Types:
- Avoidant infants displayed increased fear, resistant - decreased joy, disorganized - increased anger, secure - less fear, anger, or distress (Kochanska, 2001)
-
Strange Situation and Behaviour Problems:
- Not predictive of behavior problems at age 3 (McCartney, et al., 2004)
Cross-Cultural Variations in Attachment Styles
- US: 70% secure, 20% avoidant, 10% ambivalent
- Global Trend: Secure attachment (Type B) is the most prevalent across cultures
- Variation: Intracultural variations in attachment styles are 1.5 times greater than intercultural variations
- China: Significantly lower rates of secure attachment
Cultural Examples of Attachment
- Japan: Displays heightened stress during separation, mothers often immediately comfort their children
-
Dogon People:
- High rates of secure attachment (67% type B)
- Low rates of avoidant attachment (0% type A)
- Moderate rates of ambivalent attachment (8% type C) and disorganized attachment (25% type D)
- Maternal sensitivity had a weak correlation with attachment (0.28)
- Communication had a strong correlation with attachment (0.54)
- Maternal frightened behavior correlated with attachment (0.4)
Genetics and Attachment
- Genetic factors contribute to individual vulnerability to attachment difficulties
- Research suggests that the gene "5‐HTTLPR" (coding for serotonin transporter protein) can influence attachment
- Short allele carriers tend to have increased risk of insecure attachment and associated behavioral problems
- Environmental interactions and other genetic factors influence the interplay of genes and attachment
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Description
Explore the stages of infant attachment and how they interact with their caregivers. Learn about John Bowlby's framework and the emotional milestones infants reach during different phases of attachment. This quiz covers key concepts from attachment theory.
