Psy 311: Attachment 1

WHAT IS SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN INFANCY?

Social development is learning

–primary drives–secondary drives–reinforcement

Psy 311: Attachment 2

WHAT IS SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN INFANCY

(CONT)? Social development is instinct

* bonding Social development is interaction

* attachment

Psy 311: Attachment 3

WHAT DO BABIES COME WITH?

REFLEXES– crying, clinging, grasping, rooting

Psy 311: Attachment 4

Film Clip: Reflexes

Psy 311: Attachment 5

WHAT DO BABIES COME WITH (Cont)?

SOCIABILITY– interest in people, gazing, ability to be

comforted. BABYNESS

– size, facial features, movements, smell & feel.

Psy 311: Attachment 6

WHAT DO CAREGIVERS COME WITH?

Interest in interactions Responsiveness to infants cries,

looks, sounds Protectiveness

Psy 311: Attachment 7

FUNCTIONS OF ATTACHMENT

BABY BEHAVIOR– cling, grasp, huddle

– cry

– call, look for, crawl to, hide behind

Psy 311: Attachment 8

FUNCTIONS OF ATTACHMENT (Cont)

PARENT RESPONSE– hold in return

– come

– comfort and repair or protect

Psy 311: Attachment 9

WHAT’S THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT?

IN TIMES OF DANGER: KEEP CHILD SAFE– keep child close to caregiver

– bring caregiver

– get to caregiver

Psy 311: Attachment 10

WHAT’S THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT (Cont)?

IN REGULAR TIMES: CHILD FEELS SAFE– allow exploration

– allow play

Psy 311: Attachment 11

DEFINITION OF ATTACHMENT

Strong affectionate bond

that binds a person to a

specific intimate companion

Psy 311: Attachment 12

DEVELOPMENTAL COURSE OF ATTACHMENT

1. Undiscriminating social responsiveness– (birth - 3 months)

2. Discriminating social responsiveness– (3 - 6 months)

3. Active proximity seeking/true attachment – (7months - 3 years)

Psy 311: Attachment 13

HOW CAN ATTACHMENT BE ASSESSED?

METHODS: The “Strange Situation” Paradigm.

Psy 311: Attachment 14

Film Clip: The Strange Situation

Psy 311: Attachment 15

FOUR ATTACHMENT CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA

1. Exploration 2. Reaction to stranger 3. Separation from caregiver 4. Reunion with caregiver

Psy 311: Attachment 16

FOUR TYPES OF ATTACHMENT:

SECURE: 1 TYPE INSECURE: 2 TYPES NEW TYPE

Psy 311: Attachment 17

1. SECURE ATTACHMENT

EXPLORATION: high STRANGER: generally outgoing SEPARATION: distress REUNION: joy

Psy 311: Attachment 18

PARENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING ATTACHMENT

SECURE: RESPONSIVE TO INFANTS NEEDS & SIGNALS

Theme: Trust building

Psy 311: Attachment 19

2. INSECURE-AVOIDANT ATTACHMENT

EXPLORATION: high, unfocused STRANGER: indifferent SEPARATION: low distress REUNION: ignore, avoid

Psy 311: Attachment 20

PARENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING ATTACHMENT

INSECURE IMPATIENT, AVOIDANT UNRESPONSIVE, REJECTING

Theme: Indifference

Psy 311: Attachment 21

3. INSECURE-RESISTANT ATTACHMENT

EXPLORATION: low STRANGER: fearful, even

when caregiver is present SEPARATION: hi distress REUNION: ambivalent,

wants contact but is angry

Psy 311: Attachment 22

PARENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING ATTACHMENT

INSECURE INCONSISTENT, RESISTANT OVERALL MORE UNRESPONSIVE THAN RESPONSIVE TO INFANT

Theme: Lack of trust

Psy 311: Attachment 23

4. INSECURE-DISORGANIZED ATTACHMENT

EXPLORATION: chaotic STRANGER: uncertain, fearful SEPARATION: variable REUNION: distress

Psy 311: Attachment 24

PARENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING ATTACHMENT

INSECURE ABUSIVE, DISORGANIZED UNPREDICT- ABLE

(no coping strategy)

Psy 311: Attachment 25

Review: Kinds of Attachment

SECURE: joy on reunion– Caregiver: Responsive

AVOIDANT (insecure): indifference– Caregiver: Rejecting

RESISTANT (insecure): ambivalence– Caregiver: Unpredictable

DISORGANIZED (insecure): distress– Caregiver: Abusive

Psy 311: Attachment 26

QUESTIONS ABOUT ATTACHEMENT

1. Occurs at birth? 2. To more than 1 person? 3. After 6 months? 4. Can attachments change? 5. Long-term effects?

Psy 311: Attachment 27

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ATTACHMENT

RELATIONSHIPS WITH... Peers Teachers Romantic partners Own children

Psy 311: Attachment 28

HEALTHY INTERNAL WORKING MODEL

Trusting Lovability Openness Expressiveness

Psy 311: Attachment 29

MECHANISMS OF EFFECTS

INTERNAL WORKING MODELS– 1. Insecure-Resistant: CLINGY,

DEMANDING

– 2. Insecure-Avoidant: DISTANT, COLD CREATE RESPONSES IN OTHERS

Psy 311: Attachment 30

ARE EFFECTS OF ATTACHMENT IRREVERSIBLE?

NO! Accept, understand, integrate, and go

on!