Attachment 1

Attachment 1

1. An INTENSE, EMOTIONAL relationship specific to TWO people which endures OVER TIME, and in which PROLONGED SEPARATION is accompanied by STRESS and SORROW.

2. Caregiver-Infant Interactions

   • Bodily Contact
   • Mimicking
   • Caregiverese
   • Interactional Synchrony
   • Reciprocity
   • EVALUATION
     • Caregivers used by ALL adults- Suggests it's NOT specifically about ATTACHMENT BOND.
     • Various research supports these ideas.

3. Stages Of Attachment- SCHAFFER

   • Pre-attachment Phase (0-3 Months)- Infants become attracted to others. Preference demonstrated by smiling.
   • Indiscriminate Attachment Phase (3-7/8 Months)- Infants begin to discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar people. Smiling at more familiar people but will still allow strangers to handle and look after them.
   • Multiple Attachments Phase (9+ Months)- Infants form strong ties with other caregivers, e.g. grandparents, and non-caregivers such as other children. Fear of strangers weakens but attachment to mother figure is the strongest.
   • Discriminate Attachment Phase (7/8+ Months)- Infants begin to develop specific attachments. Stay closer to more familiar people and become distressed when separated from them. Avoid unfamiliar people and protest if stranger tries to handle them.
   • THE RESEARCH
     • Longitudinal Study
       • 60 Newborns and Mothers
       • Observations of babies and interviews with mothers
       • Took place each month until the age of 1 and then a follow up at 18 months
     • Findings
       • Separation protest occurred at 6-9 months and stronger anxiety at 7-9 months
       • 18 Months- 87% had multiple attachments
     • Conclusion
       • A pattern of attachment in all children suggestion a biological component
     • EVALUATION
       • Highly Valid- Carried out in everyday life situations
       • Mother and Researcher Bias

4. Multiple Attachments & The Role Of The Father

   • HOW IMPORTANT ARE THESE?
     • NOT AT ALL
       • Bowlby- Only important bond is the bond between mother and child. Mothers inherit a genetic blueprint. Idea of MONOTROPY- best chance of survival if they attach to one person
       • Only 10% of males are the primary caregiver
       • Lamb- Children often prefer their mothers when distressed and seeking comfort. Suggests that primary attachment to mother is the most important
     • VERY
       • Paquette- Fathers tend to be involved more in play. Encourages independence and development.
       • Verissimo- Quality of the relationship between fathers and toddlers correlated with the number of friends the child had in pre-school
       • Frank- Both parents share the role of primary attachment figure. Suggests that attachment to the father can be just as important