Attachment

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Define attachment
A strong, enduring, emotional and reciprocal bond between two people in which each seeks closeness and feels more secure when in the presence of the attachment figure.
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How do attachments form?
Evolutionary Perspective- The tendency to form attachments is INNATE. Learning Theory Perspective- Infants have NO INNATE tendency to form attachments. They learn attachments because of food.
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Define reciprocity as a caregiver-infant interaction in humans
To reciprocate is to return in kind, or to give and take mutually. EG- If some one pays you a compliment, and you pay him/her a compliment back, you have reciprocated their gesture.
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Define interactional synchrony as a caregiver-infant interaction in humans
When two people interact by mirroring what the other is doing in terms of their facial and body movements, and sometimes their emotions as well. They respond in time to each other to sustain communication.
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What study supports caregiver-infant interactions?
Meltzoff and Moore
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State the 4 stages of attachment developed by Schaffer and Emerson
Asocial Stage- (0-2m) similar responses to human+non-human objects. Indiscriminate-(2-7m) infants prefer human company but can be anyone. Discriminate- (from 7m) show separation+stranger anxiety. Multiple-(justafter primary) form secondary attachment
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Define imprinting and the study to support it
An innate readiness to develop a strong bond with the mother which takes place in the critical period, probably the first few hours after birth/hatching. If it doesn't happen at this time it probably never will happen. Studied by LORENZ.
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Define the origins of love and the study to support it
Suggests that infants develop attachments because of contact comfort rather than because of food as some research suggests. Studied by HARLOW.
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Define the learning theory
This theory of attachment suggests that it develops through the process of classical and operant condition.
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Explain operant conditioning as a way of developing attachments
Baby has primary drives (i.e. hunger)+are motivated to reduce these drives. Food brings pleasure (PR)+ reduces discomfort of hunger (drive reduction); repeats action for reward. Food-primary reinforcer. Caregiver-secondary reinforcer (brings food).
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Explain classical conditioning as a way of developing attachments
Association between the pleasure of food+the presence of the feeder. Food (UCS) naturally produces pleasure (UCR). Caregiver (NS), becomes associated with the pleasure due to bringing the food, they become a CS, baby now feels pleasure without food.
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State studies which support Bowlby's mono tropic theory
Minnesota Study (1999)-kids rated as securely attached in infancy were seen as more popular, have more initiative, higher in social competence and higher self-esteem. Mccarthy (1999)-insecurely attached women experienced friendship /romantic problems
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What is the difference between Bowlby's theory and the learning theory of attachment?
LT suggests that attachment is learned and can be relearned, so the effects of (lack of) attachment can be reserved. BT suggests that attachment occurs within a critical period + we become attached to warm comforting figures who best meet our needs.
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Explain Bowlby's monotropic theory
Evolutionary theory which suggests attachments are adaptive. We are innately programmed to form a monotropic attachment in a critical period. The attachment style produces an IWM-schema/template for future relationships = 'Continuity hypothesis'.
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Who developed the strange situation
Mary Ainsworth
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What 4 behavioural categorises were used to assess children behaviour in the 'strange situation'
Exploration-Did the infant explore the unfamiliar environment but return to mother as a secure-base,clingy,did not return to mother. Separation behaviour, stranger anxiety, and reunion behaviour.
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What were the type of attachments developed from the strange situation?
Secure Attachment (type B), Insecure Attachment= Anxious-Avoidant Attachment (Type A) and Anxious-Resistant Attachment (Type C)
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Define the internal working model
A schema about how to conduct relationships and what to expect. It therefore creates a template for future relationships based on attachment style.
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What studies support the influence of early attachment on relationships?
Childhood friendships- Myron-Wilson and Smith. Adult relationships- Hazan and Shaver. Later parenting- Quentin et al.
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How does attachment style affect future relationships?
Secure-healthy emotional and social development (develop mature trusting+long lasting adult relationships) Insecure-resistant- difficulty trusting others+developing intimate relationships. Insecure-avoidant-worry about partner not returning affection
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Define secure attachment (type B)
Explore the strange environment but use caregiver as secure base. Show anxiety when approached by a stranger (move close to mother). Subdued when separated+show some distress when she leaves. Show pleasure on reunion and easily comforted by caregiver
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Define anxious-avoidant attachment (type A)
Willing to explore strange environment+indifferent when separated from their caregiver. Low stranger anxiety+show little preference for their mother over strangers. Unconcerned when mother leaves. Avoid contact upon reunion and do not seek comfort.
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Define anxious-resistant attachment (type C)
Not willing to explore+cling to their mother. High stranger anxiety+avoid them. Very distressed upon separation. Seek and reject contact during the reunion (may go to the caregiver but will not be comforted by them or will resist/reject contact.
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Define maternal deprivation
Refers to the loss of - or damage to - an attachment with a primary caregiver.
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What are the damaging effects of maternal deprivation according to Bowlby?
Delinquency, cognitive issues, aggression, poor mental health, affection-less psychopathy.
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What is Bowlby's maternal deprivation hypothesis
States that all infants need a close relationship with their mother/caregiver to grow up healthy. If they don't get this they will be unable to form the template needed for good relationships. Effects of this in the critical period = not reversible.
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What study supports the effects of material deprivation
Bowlby's 44 Thieves
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What evidence is used against the maternal deprivation hypothesis
The Czech Twins- kept in an unheated closet+harshly beaten. Put in a care home+school for mentally retarded before being fostered. Communicated mainly through gestures, but at 14 a report showed no psychological symptoms or unusual behaviour. etc..
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Define institutionalisation
Refers to having living arrangements outside the family home. EG- Orphanage, children's home or hospitalisation.
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What are the negative effects of institutional care?
Affection-less psychopathy due to lack of mono tropic bond (Bowlby), Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)-disturbed+inappropriate behaviour, Disinhibited Attachment Disorder (DAD)-indiscriminately socialble, Physical under development, Poor parenting.
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Discuss the Romanian orphans
After 1982 couples were banned from contraception +had more children than they wanted or could afford to keep, so they were left in the state care. Orphanages lacked both medicine+washing facilities+kids subject to sexual+physical abuse.
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What study supports the effects of institutionalisation
Rutter's English and Romanian Adoptee Study (2011).a
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What study supports cultural variations in attachment
Van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg (1988) - conducted a meta-analysis of 32 studies from 8 different countries.
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What evidence is against using the strange situation cross-culturally?
Takahashi- Replicated Ainsworth Strange Situation in Japan+China and found a greater incidence of anxious-resistant attachment compared to W cultures. Due to Japanese mothers never leaving their infants alone. May not be inadequate/unhealthy.
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What evidence is against the concept of Bowly's monotropy
Tronick et al- studied an African tribe called the Efe, who live in extended family groups. The infants were looked after+breastfed by different women but slept with their own mother at night. At 6 months the infants showed one primary attachment.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

How do attachments form?

Back

Evolutionary Perspective- The tendency to form attachments is INNATE. Learning Theory Perspective- Infants have NO INNATE tendency to form attachments. They learn attachments because of food.

Card 3

Front

Define reciprocity as a caregiver-infant interaction in humans

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Define interactional synchrony as a caregiver-infant interaction in humans

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What study supports caregiver-infant interactions?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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