Attachment

Attachment

1. Attachment definition

   • Schaffer 'a long enduring, emotionally meaningful tie to a particular person
   • Ainsworth 'a relatively long enduring tie in which the partner is important as a unique indevidual
     • 'a desire to maintaine closeness'

2. Key elements

   • Long term emotional bond
   • Focused on a particular indevidual
   • Reciprocal
   • Desire for physical & emotional closeness

3. Signs of attachment

   • Proximity seeking
     • Maintain closeness and spending time together
   • Distress on separation
   • Joy on reunion
   • Orientation to the other person
     • Attention is directed to the other and attempts are made to engage them in interaction or activities.
   • Stranger anxiety
   • Secure base effect

4. Reciprocity

   • Melzoff & Moore 1977
     • Infants as young as 2-3 weeks coppy facial expressions and hand gestures
   • Taking turns, coppying, like a conversation

5. Bowlbys theory of attachment

   • Attachment is instinctive
   • Monotrophy
     • There is a single attachment to one person which is more important and at the top of the hierarchy.
   • Internal working model
     • The key relationship provides a 'template' for later relationships... 'AM I LOVEABLE? ARE OTHERS TRUSTWORTHY?'
     • Also called the CONTINUITY HYPOTHESIS
   • Sensitive period
     • Attachments should take place within the FIRST 3 YEARS... serious consequences if not.