Attachment

Attachment

1. Attachment - emotional bond between two people. 2 way process that endures over time. Can lead to clingy behaviour and proximity seeking

2. Reciprocity - responding to the action of another with a similar action, where the action of 1 partner elicits a response from the other. Not necessarily similar esponses

   • Jaffe et al (1923) - infants coordinated their actions with the caregiver like a conversation
   • Brazelton 1979 - basic rhythm is important to later on in infants life. Sensitivity lays foundation for caregiver and infant

3. Interactional synchrony - when people interact and mirror body and facial movements

   • Meltzoff and Moore (1977) - studied infants from 2 weeks old and found they mimicked the same body language and facial expressions
     • M & M - believed this imitation was intentional
     • Jean Piget - true imitation doesn't occur for a year and all the infant is doing is repeating rewarded behaviour

4. Caregiver - Any person providing care to a child

5. 4 steps of attachment

   • Asocial attachment - similar response to all objects. Towards the end prefer people. Reciprocity and I.S help build relationships with others
     • Indiscriminate attachment - marked preference for people. Recognise people and accept comfort from anyone. No signs of separation anxiety
       • Specific attachment - show signs of separation anxiety. Formed specific attachment with primary care giver
         • Multiple attachments - Display of attachment behaviour towards others. Secondary attachments
           • Stage 4: 7 months +
         • Stage 3: around 7 months
       • Stage 2: 2 - 7 months
     • Stage 1: birth - 2 months