Bowlby, Harlow, Ainsworth Attachment Theory

Attachment Theory There is a deep emotional tie, almost a physical connection with a loved one This is vital throughout life John Bowlby, Harry Harlow, Mary Ainsworth Mother is typically the first & primary object of attachment for infants Once developed—separation can be devastating Powerful Contact Comfort Several Attachment Survival Impulse Monkeys Styles Existed

Theories of Attachment Psychoanalytical Theory Freudian Oral, Breast Feeding Behavioral/Learning Theory Infants become attached to people who feed and meet their needs The primary caregiver becomes the source of reinforcement – the infant will do whatever necessary to get the caregiver’s attention (cry, smile, babble)

Harlow’s Monkey Study How important is feeding? Harlow researched this question in 1959 Critical Question: Would the monkeys become attached to the wire “mother” who feeds them or the soft, cloth mother?

Monkey Study Experimental Design Results? Harlow raised baby monkeys with 2 artificial wire frame figures make to resemble mother monkeys. One mother figure was fitted with a bottle the infant could eat from, and the other was wrapped in a soft material. Harlow found that infant monkeys when frightened preferred the soft mother figure even over the figure that they fed from. When the infants were surprised or stressed, they fled to the soft mother for comfort and protection. Harlow’s studies demonstrated the importance of physical comfort in the formation of attachment with parents. As Harlow’s infant monkey’s developed, he noticed that the monkey’s raised by the wire frame mothers became more stressed and frightened than monkeys raised with real mothers when put into new situations. The deprivation of an attachment with a real mother had long-term effects on these monkey’s behaviors.

How does this apply to human babies? Babies who are deprived of physical touch and emotional attachment were much more likely to suffer physical, social, emotional, and intellectual difficulties Orphanages, Hospitals, Fathers, Daycares

Mary Ainsworth Mary Ainsworth researched the ideas of attachment by placing human infants into novel situations. Strange Situation: Ainsworth observed the reactions of babies when their parents left for a short time and then returned

Mary Ainsworth: Strange Situation Infants with secure attachments (about 60 percent of the participants) confidently explore the novel environment while the parents are present distressed when parent leaves seek contact with parent upon returning.

Mary Ainsworth: Strange Situation The other Infants expressed insecure attachments Avoidant / Ambivalent attachment Less likely to explore novel environment Cries loudly when mother leaves or seems indifferent to departure or when she returns. Harlow’s Monkeys were terrified when artificial mothers were removed from environment.

Attachment and Relationships Early attachments form the foundation of our adult relationships Secure Attachments Trust, confidence, self reliance Insecure Attachments Jealousy, promiscuity, relationship insecurity

Critical Period for Attachment Imprinting: A process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period early in life (Konrad Lorenz) Optimal shortly after birth when an organism’s exposure to certain stimuli produces proper development Attachment: Mere-exposure/familiarity

Parental Patterns Daumrind’s three main parenting styles Authoritarian parenting Permissive parenting Authoritative parenting

Parenting Style Quiz Authoritarian Permissive Authoritative 2,3,7,9,12,16,18, 25, 26, 29 Permissive 1,6,10,13,14,17,19, 21,24,28 Authoritative 4, 5, 8, 11, 15, 20, 22, 23, 27, 30 Add your scores up for each of the three categories So to find the score for the permissive category you would add 1,6,10,13,14,17,19, 21,24,28 The category that you have the highest score for is probably the dominant parenting style used in your home.

Parenting Styles

Group Discussion What makes your parents choose a particular parenting style? What factors are involved? Do parents use the same style with ALL of the children in the household? Explain.

Authoritarian Parenting Style of parenting marked by imposing rules and expecting obedience Low in warmth Discipline is strict and sometimes physical. Communication high from parent to child and low from child to parent Maturity expectations are high.

Permissive Parenting Style of parenting marked by submitting to children’s desired, making few demands, and using little punishment High in warmth but rarely discipline Communication is low from parent to child but high from child to parent. Expectations of maturity are low.

Authoritative Parenting Style of parenting marked by making demands on the child, being responsive, setting and enforcing rules, and discussing the reason behind the rules High in warmth with moderate discipline High in communication and negotiating Maturity expectations are moderate.