1 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Chapter 14 Attachment and Social Relationships

2 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Benefits of Social Relationships Learning -Social skills/behavior -Cognitive development (pretend play) Social support -Buffers against stress -Reduces all cause mortality/morbidity

3 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Attachment Theory (critical for relationships) Bowlby and Ainsworth -Strong affectional tie -To parent: 6 mo -Proximity, preference, secure exploration Humans: Biologically predisposed -Sensitive period & parent-child interaction key -Internal working models -> later development Secure = I am lovable, can trust others Insecure = I am unlovable, others unreliable

4 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Childhood Peers Important for social development -Perspective taking -Negotiation skills -Compromise and cooperation Chumships: Age Same sex peers -Intimacy, trust, loyalty

5 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Specific Emotions in Infancy Biologically based -At birth: Contentment, interest, distress -3 mo: Joy, surprise, disgust -4-5 mo: Anger, fear -Cognitive development -> self-conscious emotions -18 mo: Embarrassment, empathy -2 yrs: Pride, shame, guilt

6 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Figure 14.1

7 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Socialization of Emotions Modeling expressions Learning what is appropriate -Reinforcement -Imitation Emotion regulation -At first dependent on caregivers -Learn self-management

8 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Caregiver-Infant Relationships Early contact not crucial nor sufficient Reflexes endearing to parent,(e.g., smiling) Cooing and babbling -Early conversations Synchronized routines -Peek-A-Boo -Sensitive responding

9 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Infant-Caregiver Relationships Undiscriminating social responsiveness -At birth babies like all social stimuli Discriminating social responsiveness -2-3 months babies prefer familiar social stimuli Active proximity seeking -6-7 months babies seek attachment figure Goal directed partnership -3 years children understand parents goals/plans

10 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Attachment-Related Fears Separation anxiety: 6-8 mo -Peaks at mo -Gradually wanes Stranger anxiety: 8-10 mo -Declines during 2 nd yr Secure base: Exploration

11 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Quality of Attachment Secure: active exploration, separation distress, happy being reunited -Caregiver provides contact comfort Resistant: clings, high separation distress, seeks contact, resents being left -Inconsistent care

12 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Quality of Attachment Avoidant: less constructive play, indifference -Insensitive stimulation -Rejection, impatient, resentful -Intrusive Disorganized: no exploration, unpredictable separation response, confused at reunion -Abusive

13 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Infant Characteristics Must acquire person permanence Temperament -Secure less likely with fearful, difficult infant Reaction to parenting style Goodness of fit between infant T & caregiving style

14 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Context of Attachment Culture -German > avoidant -Japanese > resistant Individualistic vs. Collectivist Attachment deprivation > grief Romanian orphans -Insecure, anxious -Difficulty coping with stress

15 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Figure 14.2

16 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Day Care Maternal employment Secure attachments -Sensitive mothering at home -High quality care Child characteristics -Gender, temperament, age Parent’s attitude and behavior important

17 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Later Outcomes Securely attached child -Cognitively and socially competent -Expect positive reactions Insecurely attached child -Withdrawn, dependent, fearful -Less competent Patterns last through adolescence

18 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Peer Relations 18 mo: First peers -Turn-taking -Reciprocal play Age 2-12: Increasing time spent -Same sex -Similar age and play preferences

19 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Play Development Age 2-5: Social play By age 1-2: Pretend play By age 5-6: Rule-based games By age 11-12: Rule flexibility Play beneficial -Cognitive development -Social skills

20 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Peer Acceptance Sociometric techniques -Popular (acceptance critical for social skills) -Attractive, intelligent -Socially competent -Rejected -Highly aggressive -Socially sensitive, submissive

21 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships Adolescents Parents still important (NOT for social activities, tastes) -Key for values, educational goals -Close attachments w/ warm/authoritative parents more academically/socially competent Friendships -More intimacy & conformity -Friends similar psychologically Cliques and crowds -Boy-girl friendships, dates develop via crowd socialization

22 of 19 Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider Life-Span Human Development, 4th Edition Chapter 14: Attachment and Social Relationships The Adult Social networks shrink -Quality > quantity -Closer to family Romantic attachments Adult Friendships valued -Network size not important -Key to have one confidant