Development of attachment types

Development of attachment types

1. Genetics/predisposition: modest influence

   • - Twin studies: 70% concordance MZ; 64% DZ - Foster parents Vs. biological mother-infant pairs

2. Other environmental influences

   • Maternal Sensitivity Hypothesis
   • Maternal Mind Mindedness (Meins et al, 2001) – an adults ability to treat an infant as an individual with their own mind and not responding to just their base needs - Mothers used more mindedness were more likely to have a secure attachment with their infant at 12 months and maternal sensitivity predicted attachment security
   • Internal working models: tells the infant how we expect others to be, strongly influenced by behaviours we experience and see caregivers exhibiting in early life, informs us on how we expect future relationships to be