Attachment, Parenting, Erikson's Theory

Overview

This lecture focused on attachment styles, parenting styles, and Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development throughout the lifespan.

Attachment is the emotional bond between an infant and caregiver, essential for healthy development.
Harry Harlow’s monkey studies showed comfort is more important than food for attachment.
Mary Ainsworth’s "Strange Situation" assessed attachment quality between infants and caregivers.
Secure attachment: infants use caregiver as a base for exploration, are distressed when the caregiver leaves, comforted upon return.
Insecure attachments include:
- Avoidant: indifferent to caregiver's departure and return.
- Anxious/ambivalent: distressed by separation, both seeks and resists comfort upon caregiver's return.
- Disorganized: confusion, lack of consistent coping; often linked to neglect or abuse.

Parenting styles are based on levels of support (empathy/involvement) and regulation (control/discipline).
Authoritative: high support and high regulation; considered the most effective style.
Authoritarian: low support, high regulation; strict with little warmth, may result in rebellious behavior.
Indulgent (Permissive): high support, low regulation; loving but lack boundaries, children often lack self-control.
Uninvolved: low support and low regulation; neglectful, children may develop behavioral and emotional problems.

Trust vs. Mistrust (birth-18 months): learning whether the world is safe and dependable.
Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt (18 months-3 years): developing independence; over-constraint leads to doubt.
Initiative vs. Guilt (3-6 years): initiating actions; criticism leads to guilt.
Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 years): developing competence and confidence, especially in school.
Identity vs. Role Confusion (adolescence): exploring "Who am I?"; failure leads to confusion.
Intimacy vs. Isolation (young adulthood): forming close relationships or feeling lonely.
Generativity vs. Stagnation (middle adulthood): contributing to society or feeling unproductive.
Integrity vs. Despair (late adulthood): reflecting on one's life with fulfillment or regret.
Erikson’s theory covers development from birth to death, unlike Piaget’s and Freud’s.

Attachment — emotional bond between infant and caregiver.
Secure Attachment — balanced need for caregiver and exploration, easily comforted.
Avoidant Attachment — indifference to caregiver’s presence.
Anxious/Ambivalent Attachment — distress and mixed signals toward caregiver.
Disorganized Attachment — inconsistent behavior, often a sign of neglect/abuse.
Authoritative Parenting — high support and regulation, best outcomes.
Authoritarian Parenting — high regulation, low support, strict with little warmth.
Indulgent/Permissive Parenting — high support, low regulation, few boundaries.
Uninvolved Parenting — low support and regulation, neglectful.
Erikson’s Stages — eight life-spanning stages focused on psychosocial conflicts.