Infant Attachment and Exploration

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Questions and Answers

What phase of attachment is characterized by an infant starting to favor specific individuals and seeking comfort?

Goal-corrected partnership

Preference formation (correct)

Internal orientation

Proximity maintenance

Which of the following best describes the concept of a secure base in attachment?

The relationship that forms only after three years of age

The initial lack of differentiation between various caregivers

The caregiver's presence allows the infant to feel secure and seek reassurance (correct)

The infant's ability to explore without supervision

What research study demonstrated the separation anxiety in infants indicating attachment?

Anderson 1972

Schaffer and Emerson (correct)

Ainsworth's Strange Situation

Bowlby’s attachment theory

At what age do infants typically begin to exhibit proximity maintenance behaviors?

7-9 months Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects Bowlby's contribution to the understanding of attachment?

A secure base allows for exploration and emotional reassurance Signup and view all the answers

In Ainsworth's Strange Situation, what happens during the reunion phase?

The mother returns, and the stranger leaves Signup and view all the answers

What role do cultural practices play in infant attachment, according to the survey of non-industrial societies?

Significant caregiving roles are often shared among various family members Signup and view all the answers

Which phase signifies the beginning of an abstract relationship based on trust and affection in attachment development?

Goal-corrected partnership Signup and view all the answers

Which type of attachment is characterized by the infant avoiding interaction with the mother during reunion?

Type A Signup and view all the answers

What type of attachment is linked to fewer behavioral problems in boys by age 6?

Type B Signup and view all the answers

Which type of attachment involves both seeking and rejecting proximity to the mother during reunion?

Type C Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the Strange Situation, what percentage of infants in the US were identified as Type B?

70% Signup and view all the answers

Which attachment type exhibited an increased level of anger according to Kochanska's longitudinal study?

Type D Signup and view all the answers

What was the main finding from the study conducted by Oppenheim et al. regarding secure attachment at 12 months?

It predicted social confidence by age 3. Signup and view all the answers

Which population showed a 0% rate of Type A attachment according to the Dogon People study?

Dogon People Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the concept of attachment according to the critiques mentioned?

Attachment must be understood within the context of relationships. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infant Exploration and Attachment

Infants explore their environment, frequently stopping to look around and engage in physical activity.
They check in with their mothers and may seek reassurance by returning to them.
A secure base is created when an infant returns to the mother for comfort.

John Bowlby's Attachment Theory

Bowlby developed a framework to understand attachments, which are formed through a series of phases.

Phases of Attachment

Internal orienting: Infants cannot distinguish between individuals during the first few months.
Preference formation: Infants begin to favor specific individuals around 5-7 months, showing increased smiling and comfort-seeking.
Proximity maintenance: Infants actively stay close to their caregivers, crawling to them or protesting if separated. This phase typically emerges between 7-9 months and is accompanied by the development of stranger anxiety.
Goal corrected partnership: A more reciprocal relationship develops around 3 years old where children accommodate their caregivers' needs (according to Bowlby).
Abstract relationship: Based on abstract concepts like trust and affection, children develop an internal working model.

Ainsworth's Research

Ainsworth observed that infants show a preference for their mothers, seeking comfort from them and displaying distress when separated.
They experience joy upon reunion, highlighting the role of mothers as secure bases.

Schaffer and Emerson's Study

Babies showed distress on separation, suggesting the formation of attachments.
Multiple attachments rose from 29% to 87% within 18 months, indicating the gradual expansion of attachments.
A third of infants formed stronger attachments to figures other than their mothers.
Responsiveness was considered a primary factor in attachment formation.

Cross-Cultural Variations

While mothers are often the primary caregivers, in many societies, other individuals like grandparents, older siblings, or nurses play significant roles in childcare.
A survey of 186 non-industrial societies revealed that mothers are the “almost exclusive” caretaker in infancy in only 5 societies. Other individuals significantly contribute to caregiving in 40% of societies, with significant roles in early childhood seen in 80% of societies.

The Strange Situation Procedure

Ainsworth developed a laboratory-based assessment method called the Strange Situation to evaluate attachment styles.
The procedure involves 7 stages:
- Initial exploration
- Introduction of a stranger
- Separation
- Reunion
- Infant alone
- Stranger interaction
- Final reunion

Types of Attachment

Type A (Avoidant): Infants avoid interaction with their mothers upon reunion, displaying little distress during separation.
Type B (Secure): Infants seek proximity to their mothers, especially during reunion, showing distress during separation.
Type C (Ambivalent/Resistant): Infants exhibit resistance to proximity during reunion, seeking close proximity while simultaneously rejecting it.
Type D (Disorganized): Infants display inconsistent and bizarre responses to separation and reunion, lacking a clear attachment pattern. This type was later added to the classification.

Critiques of Attachment Theory

Type D was incorporated into the typology before fully established.
Alternatives to the Strange Situation, such as the Adult Attachment Projective (AAP) test, have been proposed.
Attachment should be understood as a relational phenomenon rather than solely individual characteristics.
Infants can develop attachments to individuals other than their mothers, such as fathers.
The implications of insecure attachments for later development are not always negative.

Research on the Long-Term Effects of Attachment

Oppenheim et al. (1988): Secure attachment at 12 months predicted positive socio-emotional outcomes, including curiosity, problem-solving skills, social confidence, empathy, and independence.
Lewis et al. (1984): Secure attachment was linked to fewer behavioral problems in boys by age 6.
Kochanska (2001): Longitudinal study showed changes in emotional regulation across different attachment styles.
McCartney et al. (2004): The Strange Situation did not predict behavior problems in a large-scale study, suggesting that other factors might influence these outcomes.

Cross-Cultural Findings

Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg: Conducted a meta-analysis of Strange Situation studies across 32 cultures, revealing considerable variation in attachment styles.
Takahashi: Japanese infants showed excessive stress on separation, suggesting cultural differences in how mothers respond to separation.
Dogon People: A study on the Dogon people in Africa showed a high prevalence of secure attachment and a low prevalence of avoidant attachment.

Genetics and Attachment

Genetics plays a role in attachment, influencing temperament and disposition to certain attachment styles.
However, social-cultural influences also play a significant role.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts of infant attachment and exploration based on John Bowlby's Attachment Theory. It details the phases of attachment that infants experience as they grow and how they interact with their caregivers. Test your understanding of how infants form secure bonds and their developmental milestones during this crucial time.