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Understanding Attachment in Developmental Psychology

May 25, 2025

Lecture Notes on Attachment in Psychology

Introduction

  • Focus on attachment in human caregivers and infants.
  • Emotional bonds provide security and closeness.
  • Importance of studying care-giver infant interactions and the role of fathers and animal studies in understanding attachment.

Key Concepts in Attachment

Caregiver-Infant Interactions

  • Reciprocity: Mutual interaction akin to conversation.
  • Interactional Synchrony: Coordinated rhythmic interaction between caregiver and infant.
  • Imitation: Infants mimic caregiver expressions.
  • Sensitive Responsiveness: Caregiver accurately interprets infant’s communication.

Research Studies

  • Metzoff and Moore (1977): Infants can reciprocate facial gestures.
  • Condon and Sander (1974): Evidence of interactional synchrony through videotaped interactions.
  • Methodology: Use of blind observers and complex camera systems for high validity.

Stages of Attachment (Schafer)

  1. Asocial Stage (0-6 weeks): No preference for specific individuals.
  2. Indiscriminate Attachment (6 weeks-7 months): Differentiate between familiar/unfamiliar faces.
  3. Specific Attachment (7-9 months): Strong attachment to one primary caregiver, separation and stranger anxiety develop.
  4. Multiple Attachments (9-10 months): Attachments to other caregivers develop.

Schaffer and Emerson (1964)

  • Longitudinal study on 60 working-class infants in Glasgow.
  • Findings on separation anxiety and stranger anxiety.
  • High mundane realism in natural settings.

Role of the Father

  • Active Play: Fathers encourage active play and risk-taking.
  • Primary Caregiver: Fathers can adopt a more sensitive responsive role.
  • Socialization: Strong father attachment predicts better social skills.
  • Economic Implications: Potential changes in paternal leave policies.

Animal Studies of Attachment

  • Lorenz (1935): Imprinting in geese; critical period for attachment.
  • Harlow (1958): Rhesus monkeys prefer comfort over food, implications for contact comfort in attachment.
  • Ethical Concerns: Issues with generalizing animal findings to humans.

Theories of Attachment

Learning Theory (Dollard and Miller, 1950)

  • Based on classical and operant conditioning.
  • Criticism: Oversimplification, not accounting for comfort needs.

Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory

  • Evolutionary basis for attachment.
  • Monotropy: Strong attachment to one caregiver crucial for survival.
  • Critical Period: First 30 months critical for attachment formation.
  • Internal Working Model: Blueprint for future relationships.

Ainsworth’s Strange Situation and Cultural Variations

  • Attachment Types:

    • Insecure Avoidant: Low anxiety, minimal caregiver interaction.
    • Secure: Uses caregiver as a safe base, moderate anxiety.
    • Insecure Resistant: High anxiety, ambivalent upon reunion.
  • Cultural Variations: Differences in attachment styles across cultures.

Conclusion

  • Importance of understanding different attachment styles in developmental psychology.
  • Practical implications for childcare, adoption, and education policies.
  • Encouragement to explore further resources for a deeper understanding.