Attachment

Attachment

1. Definition: a deep-seated emotional tie that one individual forms with another, binding them together in space and enduring over time (Ainsworth – 1979)

2. Why is attachment important?

   • - Two key figures: Mary Ainsworth and John Bowlby - they had two main leading ideas for why attachment is important
     • For SECURITY (Ainsworth, Bowlby): if infants have security, they use caregivers as a safe base when exploring, to promote, children elicit attachment behaviours knowing that the adult will protect them from harm
     • - To PROTECT children from danger (Bowlby 1952), says attachment is important for protection of children, and the relationship between infant and mother in particular is so important for mental health care etc.

3. Four signs of infant attachment: Maccoby (1980)

   • 1. Proximity to caregiver – want to follow and be near to them, and if they have mobility they will do so, if not follow with eyes or elicit signals to bring the caregiver closer
   • 2. Distress on separation – separation anxiety, key determinant as to whether infant has a attachment to caregiver
   • 3. Happy on reunion – signs often shown, smile, arms out for cuddles
   • 4. Orient actions to caregiver – will often spend time watching the caregiver with eyes when immobile. Even if the caregiver leaves, the signs will continue to show by them watching the door they left from and listening out for their return
   • Attachment evident at 7-9 months old; as they attach to their attachment figures, they tend to become more fearful of strangers - important to show infants start to discriminate between attachment figures and others. Previously may have been happy to have been fed or changed by anyone but when attachments develop, they will discriminate between who they want, and that is the primary caregiver.