Introduction to attachment

Introduction to attachment

1. Caregiver- infant interactions

   • Reciprocity
     • From birth, babies signal when they are ready to interact- alert phrases
     • An interaction is reciprocal when each person responds to the other and creates a response.
   • Interactional synchrony
     • Takes place when the mother and baby interact in a way that their emotions and actions mirror each other- in a synchronised way.
     • Isabella et al observed 30 mothers and infants. They found high levels of synchrony were associated with better quality mother infant attachment.

2. Evaluation

   • caregiver- infant interactions
     • Capture fine details of interactions
     • Observe simple gesture and expression, and assume infants intensions
     • Feldman: just observations, purpose not entirely understood.
   • Attachment figures
     • Different research questions overall picture unclear.
     • Children without fathers aren't different- suggests fathers role isn't important
     • Fathers not primary attachments- may be due to traditional gender roles or biological differences.

3. Attachment figures

   • Parent- infant attachment
     • Most children are attached to fathers by 18 months.
     • Schaffer and Emerson found within a few months formed secondary attachments.
   • The role of the father
     • Fathers offer play rather than comfort, this seems to contribute to children's attachment.
   • Fathers as primary carers
     • Fathers as primary carers smile, imitate and comfort like mothers.