Development of Attachment

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Objectives

At the end of this lesson students should

be able to: Define the meaning of attachment

and separation anxiety. Identify an attachment bond. Differentiate between different

attachment theories.

Attachment

“Attachment is a bond that ties the mother and the baby together. It emerges out of evolution. It developed in order to protect us from predators. It is central to our very survival and what we are beginning to realise now is that its also central to our well being.”

(John Bowlby, Attachment in practice, p. 6)

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The importance of attachments

Makes the child feel safe and secure. A secure baby grows to have trust and

confidence in themselves. Securely attached children do better at

school. They are likely to be good at making friends. Helps people to form close relationships in

later life. Children with insecure attachments will not

have a secure base to develop trust and confidence.

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John Bowlby

A humans’ biological need to have close loving bond with their mother.

Nature has given the “infant bonding job” exclusively to mothers.

If bond isn’t allowed to form or is broken during the child's “critical period” then emotional development will be disrupted.

Bowlby saw a possible link between maternal separation and disturbed behaviour in adolescents.

(Davenport, 1994)

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Impact of Bowlby’s & his supporters’ theories

Women encouraged to stay at home. Introduction of family allowance & single

parent allowance. Parents allowed to stay with children in

hospital. Social workers began to regard

separation as worst possible solution ‘a bad home is better then best institution’.

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Challenging Bowlby’s View Others believe maternal deprivation does not alone have such

an influence on future mental health.

Studies have shown that children who suffer severe maternal deprivation, maternal privation and isolation are able to develop intellectually, socially & emotionally.

Studies have shown that high quality care can overcome most

problems.

As shown in the Koluchova Case and the Bulldog Bank Study

(Davenport, 1994)

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Koluchova (1972) Twin boys who's mother died in childbirth. Stepmother locked them in the attic until they

were 11years old. They were then raised in a children's home. They could not walk properly, had their own

language, would not be separated, were incapable of forming relationships and were intellectually immature.

With intensive care and special education they recovered to lead a normal life. Casting enough doubt on Bowlbys “critical period”.

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Bulldog Bank Study Freud & Dann (1951)

Six war orphans were studied. They were maternally privated. Made strong attachments to each

other. Were hostile towards adults,

destructive with toys etc. Constant patient loving care – formed

some emotional relationships and gradually became independent.

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How do attachments evolve?

Attachments are emotional bonds between babies and people deeply involved with them.

Example of studies carried out in the last 40 years: Ahrens: Face shapes. Robert Fantz: Looking chamber. Condon & Sander: Played tape recordings of various

sounds, including human speech – from just 2 days old babies reacted to human voices.

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Ahrens – Face shape Experiment

1 month old babies smile at picture of eyes. Next few months nose and mouth needed. By five months picture has to be 3D. Smiling baby encourages mother to smile and

talk to child.

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Fantz – Looking Chamber Experiment

Designed apparatus called Looking Chamber. Showed pictures to babies from a few days

old. Found they preferred to look at round objects

especially looking like a face.

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Attachment Theories Learning Theory – Attachment is a set of learning behaviours.

Cognitive Development Theory–Intellectual development and understanding object

permanence.

Ethological Theory –Parents are biologically disposed to respond.

Psychoanalytic Theory –Carer satisfying a physical need to be fed.

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The role of Attachment Theories

Learning Theory (Reward me and I will love you) Cognitive development Theory (I need to know you are there) Ethological Theory (I am born to love) Psychoanalytic Theory (You feed me so I love you)

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Bowlbys stages of attachment

Pre-attachment : birth - 2 monthsBaby is socially responsive to all adults. Attachment in the making : 2 -7

monthsBaby begins to recognise and respond tofamiliar adults. Clear-cut attachment : 7-24 monthsChild will protest at being separated

“separationanxiety”, wary of strangers, let you know howthey feel.

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Separation Anxiety

Bowlby noted there was a three stage pattern to children's reactions to being separated from their main

attachments.The three distinct stages: Protest Despair Detachment

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Separation Anxiety

Stage 1 - Protest

Child may cry, struggle to escape, kick, show anger.

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Separation Anxiety

Stage 2 - Despair

Child shows calmer behaviour as though accepting the separation. May be withdrawn and sad.

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Separation Anxiety

Stage 3 - Detachment

Child appears to be over the separation as they join in activities.

The child is actually trying to forget the relationship.

Effects of detachment could have long term effects in that children learn not to

trust people they care for.

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Strong Bonds

Attachment theory reinforces theimportance of strong bonds betweenchildren and their main carers.

The ways in which children leave theirmain carer and how they are reunited

isimportant in maintaining these bonds.

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Evidence of strong bonds

The parents aren't rushed, separations are calm

and positive, parents talk to the child before

leaving to reassure them.

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Evidence of strong bondsThe child’s main carer talks to them about what they have

been doing.The child is pleased to see their carer, they share a moment

of closeness. Both child and adult are relaxed and calm.

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ConclusionA child who forms strong early childhood attachments

may:

Cry less when separated from a parent or carer. Be more quickly and easily comforted on the return of

the parent or carer. Engage in more pretend play. Be less prone to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Appear more persistent in problem solving situations. Show greater flexibility in controlling their personal

feelings. Be popular with peers and adults. Be less aggressive. Be at a lower risk of bullying in school years.

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Meeting objectives

All students should now be able to: Define the meaning of attachment

and separation anxiety. Identify an attachment bond. Differentiate between different

attachment theories.

ReferencesDavenport, G. C. (1994) An Introduction to ChildDevelopment, 2nd Edition, London:Collins EducationalDoherty, J. and Hughes, M. (2009), ChildDevelopment:Theory and Practice 0 -11,Harlow:Pearson EducationJohnson, J. and Nahmad-Williams, L. (2009) EarlyChildhood Studies, Harlow:Pearson Education LimitedRiddall – Leech, S. (2010) How Children Learn : TutorResource Pack, London: Practical Pre-school books