Attachment

Attachment

1. Bond or tie between an individual and an attatchment figure

   • Tie based on need for saftey, security and protection
     • Need paramount in infancy and childhood
       • Infants instinctively attach to their carer

2. Evoluntionary perspective

   • Attachment behaviour - seeking to attachment figure when facing threat or danger

3. Views on attachment

   • Lorenz (1935)- imprinting
   • Harlow (1971)- 5 types of affectional feelings
     • Rhesus monkeys
   • Bowlby - attachment theory
     • The secure base
       • Child can explore the world knowing that they can be comforted by the attachment figure when they get back.

4. Development of attachment

   • Signals without discrimination of figure (Birth to 8 weeks)- grasping, smiling, babbling etc.
   • Signals directed towards one discriminated figure(8 weeks to 6 months)- familiar and unfamiliar adults
   • Maitenance of Proximity (6 months to 3 years) - carer as base from which to explore.
   • Goal corrected partnership (3 years onwards) child sees mother as independant person with own goals.

5. Internal working models

   • child constructs a model for each attachment figure

6. Strange situation test

   • Ainsworth & Bell (1970)

7. Classification of attachment

   • Classified by quantative characteristics
     • Two ways: disorganised/organised pattern, secure or insecure
       • Main & Soloman - disorganised
         • strong attachment followed by freezing, imcomplete movements and expressions etc.

8. Disorganised attachment over time

   • Main & Cassidy (1988)
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