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.