Introduction to Attachment Lynne Hemingway lynne.hemingway@burycollege.ac.uk

Aims & Objectives: To provide an introduction to Attachment Theory By the end of this session, all learners will be able to: Explain what attachment is. Describe and evaluate stages of attachment. Compare and contrast different theories of attachment.

Attachment Theory A concept in developmental psychology. Attachment is an intense and emotional relationship between 2 individuals. Used to describe the relationship between an infant and their care-giver. Provides an explanation of how the parent-child relationship emerges and influences subsequent development.

What is Attachment? According to Schaffer & Emerson (1964), it is the “tendency of the young to seek the proximity of certain other members of the species.”

What is Attachment? Maccoby (1980) identified 4 characteristic behaviours: Seeking proximity to primary caregiver Distress on separation Pleasure when reunited General orientation of behaviour towards primary caregiver

“a piece of invisible string.” What is Attachment? According to Flanagan (1999), proximity is a key feature in any definition of attachment and she likens it to “a piece of invisible string.”

What is Attachment? Andersen (1972) conducted a field study in a London park. Noted that it was rare to see a child under the age of 3 wandering more than 200 feet from their mother, before returning to make contact. However, it is more than simply proximity and relies on interaction.

Interactional Synchrony What is Attachment? An attachment bond is characterised by an infant’s desire to keep close proximity to an individual and an expression of distress when separated. Although a baby can’t talk, the interactions between a baby and carer are complex. Reciprocity Interactional Synchrony

Infant – Caregiver Interactions

Infant – Caregiver Interactions Evans & Porter (2009) claimed that these early interactions are important in developing the security of attachment. Studied 101 infants & mothers for the first year Invited into the lab at 6, 9 & 12 months Instructed to play & interact as normal (15 mins) Extent of reciprocity & synchrony were assessed At 12 months the quality of the attachment was measured, using a standardised test Those rated as most securely attached had the most reciprocal interactions and synchrony.

Infant – Caregiver Interactions Meltzoff & Moore (1977) reported that infants aged 2-3 weeks tended to mimic adults’ facial expressions. Suggests that infants have an innate drive to to aid the formation of attachment

Put on your critical thinking hat Evaluation Put on your critical thinking hat Think about: Weak points / negatives What is wrong with this? What do we need to be careful of

Evaluation doesn’t always have to be doom & gloom You can look at strengths & benefits too.

Stages of Attachments Schaffer & Emerson (1964) proposed a stage theory of attachment development: The asocial stage Indiscriminate attachment phase Specific attachment phase Multiple attachments stage Get students to research and complete sheet

Stages of Attachments Stage of Attachment Key Features The Asocial Stage (Birth – 2 months) Indiscriminate (2 – 7 months) Discriminate (7/8 months) Multiple Attachments (9 months onwards) Get students to research and complete sheet Flanagan (1999) pg. 42: Understanding why these changes take place and making links with associated cognitive development.

What is a Theory of Attachment? A theory of attachment seeks to identify: What are the characteristics of a child’s main attachment figure? Why do children become attached to one person and not another? What is the function of attachment, in the short and long term? What are the consequences of healthy & unhealthy attachments?

Attachment Research Question Why do children become attached to one person and not another?

According to Freud, the bond between the baby’s need for nourishment. child and mother is formed because of the baby’s need for nourishment. Psychoanalytical: Freud believed that a baby’s instinctual needs (food, security, oral gratification) are satisfied by the mother who then becomes desired in her own right. Flanagan (1999) pg 98 Freud (1856-1939)

Learning Theory of Attachment Dollard & Miller (1950) Argues that attachment is learned in the same way as all other behaviours.

Classical Conditioning The infant learns to associate the primary caregiver (usually the mother) with food. The food produces feelings of pleasure, as it is associated with warmth and comfort. The infant associated the caregiver with food. Over time the caregiver becomes a source of pleasure, irrespective of whether food is present … so an attachment forms

Classical Conditioning

Classical Conditioning Love = Conditioned Response of Pleasure

Why do Babies Cry?

Operant Conditioning Dollard & Miller (1950) suggested that a hungry infant feels uncomfortable and this creates a drive (urge) to reduce the discomfort. Crying leads to a response from caregiver - feeding If caregiver provides correct response, crying is reinforced. Baby directs crying for comfort towards the caregiver – who responds with comforting ‘social suppressor’ behaviour.

Operant Conditioning Any behaviour resulting in rewards (pleasant consequences) is reinforced. Hungry infant feels uncomfortable & driven to reduce discomfort. When fed it feel pleasure (reward). The food is a primary reinforcer as it directly satisfies hunger. The caregiver is a secondary reinforcer as associated with the primary reinforcer. Attachment occurs because the child seeks the person who can supply the reward.

Operant Conditioning Reinforcement is a 2-way-process Positive reinforcement - the baby is rewarded for crying – receives food Negative reinforcement – attending to the baby makes the crying stop The interplay of mutual reinforcement strengthens an attachment

All You Need is Food

Consider potential criticisms of the cupboard love theories. We will look specifically at how to evaluate these theories next week Consider potential criticisms of the cupboard love theories.

Attachment Theory Key Points: First attachment theorist. 1907 - 1990 Key Points: First attachment theorist. Babies are biologically pre-programmed to form attachments to survive. Determinant is not food BUT care and responsiveness. Babies initially form one attachment which acts as a prototype for all future social relationships.

Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory Bowlby rejected learning theories of attachment He was influenced by ethology and proposed an evolutionary explanation of attachment. “Were it true, an infant of a year or two should take readily to whomever feeds him and this is clearly not the case.”

What is Ethology? Ethology is the study of animal behaviour – influenced by biology, tied to evolution Lorenz (1935) – Imprinting of Greylag Geese Animals are born with innate drives that increase their survival potential.

Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory Humans are genetically motivated to develop an attachment to a maternal figure. We are an altricial species, virtually helpless as birth, so need to attach to increase survival chances. Monotropic because placed emphasis on attachment to one particular caregiver – different & more important than all others – primary attachment figure. Infants are born with certain behaviours which make attachment to a maternal figure possible – social releasers.

Social Releasers Innate behaviours that babies express to activate the adult attachment system. Attachment is a reciprocal process. According to Bowlby, it is also time critical.

Critical Period Bowlby stated that there is a sensitive period in the development of attachment, which occurs before the age of 2½. After this period the child is no longer capable of forming strong attachments. Disruption to attachment bonds during this period would have serious and irreversible long-term consequences. We will look at this more in terms of maternal deprivation theory

Internal Working Model (Bowlby, 1969)

Socially Sensitive Research

Flipped Learning For the next lesson, you need to have researched Bowlby’s Theory of Maternal Deprivation Ensure that you are able to outline what the theory is and can provide the following information in relation to his 44 Thieves Study (1944): Aim Method Results Conclusion You do not need to write more than 3 lines for each section

Next Session We will be looking at specific research that has been conducted in relation to attachment theory. We will be evaluating both the theories and the research methodologies and conclusions. Make sure you are wearing your

References & Further Reading Flanagan, C. (1999). Early Socialisation: Sociability and attachment. London: Routledge. Flanagan, C., et al. (2015). AQA Psychology for A Level Year 1 & AS. Gloucestershire: Illuminate Publishing. Gross, R. (2010). Psychology: The science of mind and behaviour 6th ed. London: Hodder. Schaffer, R. (1995). Early Socialisation. Leicester: BPS Books. As well as looking at psychology books, you may also find some accessible material in child development text books too (Dewey number: 155.4). See links to further reading on the VLE too.

Aims & Objectives: To provide an introduction to Attachment Theory By the end of this session, all learners will be able to: Explain what attachment is. Describe and evaluate stages of attachment. Compare and contrast different theories of attachment.