Developmental Psychology - Early Social Development Attachment Explanations of attachment, including learning theory, and evolutionary perspective, including Bowlby Types of attachment, including insecure and secure attachment and studies by Ainsworth Cultural variations in attachment Disruption of attachment, failure to form attachment (privation) and the effects of institutionalisation Attachment in everyday life The impact of different forms of day care on children’s social development, including the effects on aggression and peer relations Implications of research into attachment and day care for child care practices

Disruption of Attachment – The effects of Separation and Privation LO’s: To understand what is meant by separation and privation To discover the range of effects these experiences have on children To consider factors which influence whether these effects are permanent or temporary

Starter: How do you think people would act if they never formed an attachment with another person?How do you think people would act if they never formed an attachment with another person?

SEPARATION The effects of the separation of a child and their caregiver are different depending on the duration of the separation. Short-term separation Around age 8-9 months when the child has established an attachment there is often an immediate response to separation. Short-term separation behaviour often follows a typical pattern: Protest Despair Detachment

Research – The effects of Short- Term Separation Robertson & Robertson studied the behaviour of a 17 month old child called John who was cared for in an institution while his mother was in hospital. Robertson and Robertson’s (1969) study of John The Robertsons wanted to document how young children’s brief separation from their mothers affected their mental state and psychological development. The Robertson’s case study of John involved them carrying out naturalistic observations on the 17 month old while he stayed in a residential nursery for 9 days when his mother went into hospital. John experienced extreme distress while separated from his mother.

Evaluation of Robertson and Robertson Support/criticism The study provides clear evidence that a young child’s separation from his mother sets in motion a sequence of psychological reactions likely to have long term effects. The Robertsons recorded the separation of four other children but this time they acted as foster parents caring for each child round the clock. The effects of the separation were far less than what John experienced but the Robertsons concluded that however good the substitute mothering, separation is always dangerous and should be avoided. Importantly, the findings of this study changed hospital policies that had always restricted access to parents of sick children to a few hours a day. Now parents are allowed unlimited access to their sick children and this is largely down to the findings of this study.

Long-term separation A typical effect of long-term separation of a child from their primary caregiver = SEPARATION ANXIETY. This is demonstrated by a range of behaviours including: extreme clinginess detachment (possibly to protect themselves from being hurt again) demanding of the attachment figure

Factors affecting a child’s responses to separation: There are individual differences and responses depend on five main factors including: Use you textbooks, page to make notes on the factors affecting the effects of separation

What is Privation? Privation simply means a lack of something. Emotional privation is the lack of attachment or love in a child who has been unable to form an attachment. Physical privation refers to the lack of basic physical needs such as food or shelter. Privation simply means a lack of something. Emotional privation is the lack of attachment or love in a child who has been unable to form an attachment. Physical privation refers to the lack of basic physical needs such as food or shelter.

Koluchova, 1991 Case study of twin boys born in 1960 in Czechoslovakia and brought up in care after the death of their mother. 18 months old, returned to their father and stepmother and suffered privation until being rescued at the age of 7. Locked in unheated cupboard Starved Beaten No speech when discovered Terrified of people Had severe health problems due to malnutrition

So what happened to them after? The twins relied on gestures as they could barely talk. At the age of 9 they were fostered and it was found that by 14 their behaviour was essentially normal and by 20 they were of above average intelligence and had excellent relationships with members of their foster family, social problems seem to have also been reversed as both were married.The twins relied on gestures as they could barely talk. At the age of 9 they were fostered and it was found that by 14 their behaviour was essentially normal and by 20 they were of above average intelligence and had excellent relationships with members of their foster family, social problems seem to have also been reversed as both were married.

This study seems to show that privation effects can be reversed, including language, which questions the idea of a critical period. BOWLBY....This study seems to show that privation effects can be reversed, including language, which questions the idea of a critical period. BOWLBY.... However, as they were in the cellar together maybe they were able to form an attachment to each other, so this was not a case of privation. Therefore the validity of the study is questioned.However, as they were in the cellar together maybe they were able to form an attachment to each other, so this was not a case of privation. Therefore the validity of the study is questioned. They were also able to develop their own language, which could explain how they were able to acquire language so quickly.They were also able to develop their own language, which could explain how they were able to acquire language so quickly.

Skuse, 1984 What were the effects of privation on Mary and Louise? And their brother?What were the effects of privation on Mary and Louise? And their brother? Use you worksheet to describe the effects of privation on these childrenUse you worksheet to describe the effects of privation on these children

Privation in the UK This still happens here....This still happens here stm stm stm stm

Case Study Research Koluchova and Skuse are both case studies...Koluchova and Skuse are both case studies... What are the strengths of case studies?What are the strengths of case studies? And the weaknesses?And the weaknesses? Use Page 121, Nelson ThornesUse Page 121, Nelson Thornes

Eye on the exam 4 mark question:4 mark question: “Research into attachment of children is often based on case studies. Evaluate research into the occurrence of privation.”