Psychology 235 Attachment

Ethological Theory Most influential theory guiding attachment research Comes from the theory of evolution Social behavior is influenced by genes Social behavior is at least partly influenced by evolution and natural selection Certain characteristics lead to survival and reproduction

Ethological Theory Infant Behavior leading to survival If they reproduce, their genes are “selected for” Parental behavior leading to survival of own infant Thus the parents’ genes are also selected for

What are those behaviors? Parent behavior: responding to crying, smiling, etc. Parents are biologically prepared to respond to infants with caregiving Infant behavior: crying, smiling And especially, proximity-seeking Infants are biologically prepared to behave in ways that keep them close to caretakers

What is attachment? A “bond” or connection between infant and caretaker Usually focuses on the infant’s attachment to caretaker But also takes into account the caretaker’s feelings about the infant

Bonding - What is it? Hormones of pregnancy & birth prepare mother to become “bonded” to her baby Needs immediate contact after birth to touch and hold the baby Preventing mother from doing this interferes with bonding, and then the mother will not be an effective mother Child will have poorer development “DO NOT REMOVE baby from mother until bonding has taken place” This concept has largely been abandoned in developmental psychology because no research supports that is is the process of attachment

Infant-caretaker Attachment A process that takes place over weeks and months Depends on several factors Characteristics of the infant Characteristics of the parent or caretaker Characteristics of the situation Most important is developing interactional synchrony

From Tronick

Infant Some infants are difficult irritable temperament, fussy Socially unresponsive prematurely born infants blind infants; mentally retarded these characteristics can often be identified very early

Caretaker Some caretakers are not very good at developing interactional synchrony While this is an interaction, it is more under the caretaker’s control than the infant’s Rigidity, inflexibility, non responsiveness, overwhelming infant

Situation Poverty, divorce, stress Unwanted child Having to look after several small children Social support Relationship with spouse or other adult is critical

Infant’s Attachment Bond to caretaker, or may even be a bond to objects (e.g., blanket) Has three features 1. Proximity seeking 2. Secure base 3. Calms fears and distress

Attachment Continuum Exploration Balance Proximity-Seeking Avoidant Secure Resistant

When does it take place? Asocial stage ( 0-6 weeks) Indiscriminate attachment (6 weeks - 6/7 months) Specific attachments ( 6/7 months +) Multiple attachments (6/7 to 18 months +)

What causes attachment? At this point, we’ll ignore whether the attachment is strong or “good” Many theories exist attachment per se seems to be caused by familiarity

Table 11-2, p. 445

Take a look at video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5IjfcK3a_Y

Attachment Continuum Exploration Balance Proximity-Seeking Avoidant Secure Resistant

Different Qualities of Attachment Some attachment is called secure It reflects a secure relationship between the attachment object (AO) and baby Some is insecure or disorganized

Secure Attachment Explore actively Use AO as secure base React positively to strangers in AO’s presence Affectively in tune with AO On separation play and exploration are reduced On reunion, infant actively greets AO

Insecure, Avoidant Explores, but doesn’t use AO as base Doesn’t check with AO Treats AO and stranger similarly Not distressed by separation Actively avoids contact on reunion

Insecure, Resistant Cannot explore Stays very close to AO Avoids stranger Very distressed by separation On reunion, alternates between seeking contact, and angry resistance

Disorganized/disoriented Hard to categorize Sometimes shows elements of resistant and avoidant

Long term implications of quality of attachment Social competence Compliance Independence vs. attention-seeking

What produces secure attachments? How do we know? Longitudinal studies

What produces secure attachments? Responding quickly and reliably to infant’s signals Sensitively interpreting infant’s signals Expressing affection consistently High standards of physical care

Interactional Synchrony The foundation for secure attachment is the relationship that is formed Interactional synchrony

What isn’t important? Several things Breastfeeding Being the only caretaker

What is related to increased frequency of insecure attachments? Unresponsive caregiving Inconsistently responsive caretaking Overstimulating or intrusive care – overwhelming the infant Teenage parents are much more likely to be unresponsive or inconsistently responsive

Substitute care for infants? Table 11-6, p. 461

What about substitute care and the security of attachment? Poor quality substitute care (babysitters, etc.) Possibly substitute care > 25 hrs/week under age 1 (small effect), perhaps especially if begun between 6 and 12 months rather than earlier or later Multiple arrangements, rather than just one However, may be linked to overstimulating care, or mother’s attitudes and hence her behavior when with the child Harrison and Ungerer, 2002, Developmental Psych

Recent study in Australia Where there is good child care, support for combining employment and parenthood, and opportunities to work less than full time, found the most secure infants with More responsive mothers Older mothers Mothers with more social support (often gained at work) Mothers most positive about working Mothers most positive about child care infants beginning care in first half year of life as opposed to later (likely related to mothers’ attitudes) In fact, 72% infants secure when mothers returned in first six months, 62% in mothers returning between 6 and 12 months, and 45% secure in stay-at-home mom group Harrison and Ungerer, 2002, Developmental Psych