PSY 302 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Attachment Theory, Sleep Disorder, Social Change
14 Jun 2018
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Chapter 11: Attachment to Others and Development of Self
Attachment
Attachment - An emotional bond with a specific person that is enduring across space
and time. Usually, attachments are discussed in regard to the relation between infants
and specific caregivers, although they can also occur in adulthood
Attachment Theory
Attachment Theory - A theory based on John Bowlby's work that posts that children
are biologically predisposed to develop attachments to caregivers as a means of
increasing the chances of their own survival
Secure Base - Refers to the idea that the presence of a trusted caregiver provides an
infant or toddler with a sense of security that makes it possible for the child to explore
the environment
- The secure base increase the child’s likelihood of surviving
- Take place in 4 phases:
- Pre-attachment - (Birth to 6 weeks) → the infant produces innate signals,
most notably crying that makes caregivers comfort the infant through this
interaction
- Attachment-in-the-making (6 weeks to 6-8 months) → infants respond to
familiar people.
- Example: smile or laugh
- In this phase infants will form expectations of how their caregivers
will respond therefore develop trust or no trust
- Clear-cut attachment (6 to 8 months and 1 ½ year) → infants actively seek
interactions with their primary caregiver
- Reciprocal relationships (From 1 ½ or 2 years on) → kids taking a active
role to interact with caregivers
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find more resources at oneclass.com
Attachment → Ainsworth
- Ainsworth strange situation
- Widely used experimental technique to measure attachment
- Sequence of staged episodes that illustrate strength of attachment
between child and (typically) mother
- Video on in the slides about this
- The steps are below
Strange situation steps
1. The mother and an infant enter the room alone
2. The infant is given the freedom to explore the room, while the mother watches
3. An unfamiliar researcher enters the room
4. First separation: The mother exits the room. The infant is alone with the
stranger
5. First reunion: The mother returns to the room. She greets and comforts her
child
6. Second separation: Stranger leaves, and then the mother leaves the room
7. The stranger returns to the room first: Again, she interacts with the infant
8. Second reunions: The mother returns; greets and soothes the infant
Attachment Types
- Secure attachment - Uses mother as a secure base
- Child uses mother as home base
- The child is comfortable as long as the mother is present
- The are exploring their environment comfortably
- Most North american kids fall into this category
- These children are better able to cope with stress
- Greater feelings of competence at school and work
- 2/3rds
- Insecure-avoidant - Appears indifferent to moms behaviour
- Avoid the mother when she returns, do not seek proximity and do not
stress when she leaves
- Difficulty feeling emotionally close to anyone
- This behavior continues into adulthood
- These kids don’t want support or understanding
- More non-anxiety disorders
- 20%
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find more resources at oneclass.com
- Insecure-Ambivalent - display a combination of positive and negative reactions
to their mothers
- Appear anxious when mothers leave and when they return
- 10 -15% are here
- These kids struggle the most, more anxiety issues
- They want a support system → like teachers and friends
- 10-15%
- Insecure - Disorganised - Show inconsistent, contradictory, and confused
behaviour
- Run to mother when she returns, but will not look at her
- Initially calm, then break into tears
- Least securely attached of them all
- Most likely to be diagnosed with psycho-pathologies
- These kids show confused behaviour
- They are the most problematic
- May suffer from reactive attachment disorder → extreme problem in
forming attachments with others, often the result of neglect or abuse
- 5-10% here
Parents and Play
Parental Influence
- Playmate
- Active participant in the play activity
- Social director
- Actively arrange opportunities for playtime with peers
- Arrange kids to join soccer team
- Coach
- Actively try to teach their children properly social/interpersonal skills
- Mediator
- Monitor peer paly interactions and intervene when necessary
- It’s better if parents can participate in all levels and not just one
- Attachment affect parental responsiveness in play
- Secure versus insecure attachment
- Fathers vs mothers
- Engaging in play
- Fathers engage in more play than mothers
- Sex of the child determines type of play that fathers engage in
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Chapter 11: attachment to others and development of self. Attachment - an emotional bond with a specific person that is enduring across space and time. Usually, attachments are discussed in regard to the relation between infants and specific caregivers, although they can also occur in adulthood. Attachment theory - a theory based on john bowlby"s work that posts that children are biologically predisposed to develop attachments to caregivers as a means of increasing the chances of their own survival. Secure base - refers to the idea that the presence of a trusted caregiver provides an infant or toddler with a sense of security that makes it possible for the child to explore the environment. The secure base increase the child"s likelihood of surviving. Pre-attachment - (birth to 6 weeks) the infant produces innate signals, most notably crying that makes caregivers comfort the infant through this interaction. Attachment-in-the-making (6 weeks to 6-8 months) infants respond to familiar people.
