Lecture Outline: Attachment Definitions and Importance Normative Development of Attachment –Ethological Attachment Theory (J. Bowlby) Individual Differences in Attachment Security –Infancy: Strange Situation

Attachment: An enduring emotional tie that unites one person to another, over time and across space

Attachment Behaviors: –Behaviors that function to bring the infant/child physically closer to the caregiver Exs: crying, following, clinging

Why is parent-child attachment important? –First relationship that infants experience May serve as a model for other relationships May affect the development of self-concept

Normative Development of Attachment: Ethological Attachment Theory (J. Bowlby) Attachment behavior evolved because it is adaptive for survival –Keeps infants physically close to caregivers and away from danger –Increases the chances of infant survival and reproductive success

Evidence (Ethological Attachment Theory): Animals that stray from a group are much more vulnerable to attack Attachment behavior in animals (including humans): –Occurs more frequently in those most vulnerable to predators (e.g., the young) –Increases in frightening situations

Individual Differences in Attachment Security Infancy: Strange Situation Mother and infant in laboratory playroom Stranger enters, talks to mothers, engages infant Mother leaves (stranger stays) Mother returns (stranger leaves) Mother leaves (baby alone) Stranger returns Mother returns

Secure (B) –About 60-65% of American middle-class samples –May or may not be distressed by separation –Respond positively to parent’s return If distressed by separation, easily comforted by parent and able to return to play (parent = secure base)

Insecure-Avoidant (A) –15-20% of American middle-class samples –Usually not distressed by separation from parent –Avoid the parent during reunion (to different degrees)

Insecure-Resistant or Ambivalent (C) –10-15% of American middle-class samples –Usually distressed by separation –Show a combination of angry, resistant behavior and proximity-seeking behavior during reunion with parent –Have difficulty being comforted by parent and returning to play

Insecure-Disorganized (D) –10-15% of American middle-class samples –More common in infants who have been maltreated –Infants’ behavior does not reflect an organized strategy for dealing with the stress of separation Contradictory behaviors Expressions of fear or disorientation when caregiver returns