Attachment

What the resources cover

This unit sits in Developmental Psychology, part of Psychology. The listed material follows the shape of an AQA attachment topic. You will find caregiver-infant interactions, Schaffer's stages of attachment, animal studies, explanations of attachment, Ainsworth's work, cultural variations, and the effects of institutionalisation.

• Theories: mind maps on Bowlby's theory, the learning theory, and Dollard and Miller, plus notes on the evolutionary theory.
• Classic studies: maps on Harlow, Lorenz, and Schaffer and Emerson's Glasgow study, and the flashcards on Bowlby 1944.
• Later research: maps on Hodges and Tizard, and on the role of the father.

Where to start

Begin with a broad overview. The mind map called Attachment defines the term as a close two-way emotional bond. Then open the flashcard deck Attachment keywords to fix the vocabulary.

1. Work through Bowlby's theory and the learning theory.
2. Move to Schaffer and Emerson, then Ainsworth and the Strange Situation.
3. Finish with cultural variations, deprivation and institutionalisation.

Cross-cultural variations

Two maps help here. One covers Takahashi (1990) and asks whether the Strange Situation suits Japanese children. The other covers van IJzendoorn and Kroonenberg (1988), a meta-analysis of 32 studies from 8 countries. Read them side by side, then compare their evaluation points.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, then test yourself. The quiz Schaffer and Emerson & Ainsworth checks details such as the Glasgow babies. The quiz The strange situation does the same for Ainsworth. Where you lose marks, go back to the map and note the gap.

Practising longer answers

For extended writing, look at the notes on outlining the learning theory for 6 marks, and the 12-mark evaluation notes. The 16-marker plans for AQA A Level Psychology show how to structure an essay. Teachers can use these as ready-made starting points for class. Choose one subtopic today and try its quiz.