1. Communication and Social Behaviour
Higher Human Biology
Subtopic 20
Infant attachment and non-verbal
communication

2. Learning Intentions To explain the importance of infant attachment
To explain the importance of social competence
To explain types of non-verbal communication
To state the importance of communication

3. Humans are social animals.
Communication between species members is vital for success.
Communication can be verbal, non-verbal or written.

4. Attachment Humans have a long dependency period.
To trigger a carer’s response, babies….
……… suckle, cling and cry
Attachment has survival advantages :
- food
- warmth
- comfort
- protection

5. The emotional tie that develops between a carer and baby is called……
The emotional tie that develops between a carer and baby is called…….. INFANT ATTACHMENT

6. Types of Attachment Attachment is first indiscriminate
- baby will attach to anyone.
It turns to specific attachment between 6 – 9 months
- baby attaches to a select few people.

7. Contact Comfort
Experiments showed that a monkey would chose a warm, cloth model mother over one that provided food.
Harlows monkeys

8. Importance of Attachment
Safety is needed so that social and cognitive skills can develop.
It is vital for developing trust.

9. Strange Situation **see textbook**
This experiment tests a child’s attachment.
strange situation

10. The process…..
A mother brings baby into an unfamiliar room supplied with toys
A stranger enters the room and plays with baby
Mother leaves
Mother returns and plays with baby while stranger leaves
Mother leaves the baby alone
The stranger returns
The mother returns

11. Categories of Attachment
Securely attached (70%) Baby is attached to mother and distressed when she leaves but comfortable in the situation. (mother more important)
Insecurely avoidant (15%)
Baby is NOT attached to mother and isn’t bothered when she leaves.
(mother/ stranger equal)
Insecurely resistant (15%)
Baby is ‘overly; attached to mother and uncomfortable in the situation
(mother important but also resented)

12. Importance of SECURE Attachment
Children grow up to be social leaders who don’t give up easily.

13. Socialisation

14. Socialisation
Socialisation is the modification of an individuals behaviour to accommodate the demands of social life.
Our long childhood lets us develop social competence :
- a personal identity
- values
- behavioural, cognitive and emotional skills
feral children

15. Methods of Control
Social competence depends on the parental control method :
Authoritarian
Unreasonably strict
Authoritative
Demanding but responsive
Children develop into self-reliant, academically successful, social individuals
Permissive
Excessively lenient

16. Communication

17. What is communication?
…………….the transfer of information (facts, feeling, ideas, opinions) between people. It can be verbal or non-verbal.

18. For interest…. Comforting
80% of mothers hold babies on the LHS…
Heartbeat offers a familiar rhythm
Comforting

20. All trigger the desire to protect and provide
Non-verbal in Infants
NV communication is important in parent-infant bonding and is of high survival value.
Crying
Clinging
Suckling
All trigger the desire to protect and provide

21. 4 WEEKS OLD… Smiling occurs before it is even considered a genuine social activity
2 MONTHS OLD…. Response to external stimuli, creates feeling of well being

22. Ensures, food, care, attention etc
6 MONTHS OLD… Smiling becomes a selective, social act
Reserved for close family members
SURVIVAL VALUE
Ensures, food, care, attention etc

23. Adults and NV Communication
It reinforces verbal messages / add to the info.
Facial expressions
Eye contact
Body language
Physical proximity
Touching

24. 1. 2. 3.
happiness
surprise
anger
sadness 4. 5. 6.
fear
disgust

26. BBC Smiling Test

27. Eye Contact Embarrassing between strangers More often between friends
Used to show sexual interest
Difficult to maintain when lying

29. Body Language
Expressed by postures, gestures and other activities such as folding arms.
Some gestures have definite meaning, others indicate emotional states of mind.

30. bored

31. What is your body language?
Possible emotional state
Posture
Tense
Fairly stiff, sitting up straight
Bored/sad
Slumped, arms folded
Relaxed
Sprawled in a chair, legs wide
Frightened
Lying in foetal position
Confrontational
Feet apart, arms wide

32. Personal Space An unwritten accepted distance. Increases = dislike
Decreases = possible sexual attraction or aggression
The closer you are the less eye contact you make.

33. Touching Powerful communication.
Can show closeness of the relationship.
Shows support, playfulness, appreciation, affection.

34. Verbal Communication Expressed as sounds and symbols.
Allows the transfer and receipt of info on a daily basis and between generations/
Language promotes our learning.

35. Learning Intentions To explain the importance of infant attachment
To explain the importance of social competence
To explain types of non-verbal communication
To state the importance of communication