2. & the Cider House Rules Attachment Theory Maureen Mack, Ph.D.
Curriculum & Instruction
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire

3. Overview Definitions of Secure/Insecure Attachment
Types of Disordered Attachment
Effects of Attachment Quality & Trauma on the Developing Brain
Treatment and Strategies

4. Definition of Secure Attachment
Secure attachment is an enduring affective bond characterized by a tendency to seek and maintain proximity to a specific person, particularly when under stress.
– Ainsworth and Bowlby

5. Characteristics of Secure Attachment
Deep, long lasting, emotional attachment
Influences mind, body, emotions, relationships, and values (Levy)
Positive affect on self-esteem, independence, enduring relationships, empathy, compassion, and resiliency

6. Critical Aspect of Attachment
Emotional Sensitivity—appropriate parental emotional expression and reception. EA qualities can be observed in parents of children of any age.

7. Secure Attachment = Secure Attachment Parents + Child
Instinctual urge to attach rooted in evolution

8. Definition of Attachment Disorder
Attachment disorder is the inability to form loving, lasting intimate relationships

9. Characteristics of Attachment Disorder
Lack of reciprocal behavior
Rights violations
Frequent aggressive and destructive acts
Lack of remorse

10. Examples of Secure-Insecure Attachment
Homer
View Movie Clip from website (9,507 kb .wmv)

11. Examples of Secure-Insecure Attachment
Bedtime at the Orphanage
View Movie Clip from website (4,131 kb .wmv)

12. Small Group Exercise 1

13. Overview Definitions of Secure/Insecure Attachment
Types of Disordered Attachment
Effects of Attachment Quality & Trauma on the Developing Brain
Treatment and Strategies

14. Types of Insecure Attachment
Ambivalent
Avoidant
Disorganized

15. Ambivalent Cling, withdraw in unfamiliar environment
Separation anxiety
Rejects efforts to comfort, sooth

16. Avoidant Pseudo independence and self-sufficiency
Rejects or avoids comforting
Unaffected by close, intimate contacts

17. Disorganized Most serious form
No consistent strategy for comfort-seeking
Depression, motor-freezing, and disassociation

18. Insecure Attachment Continuum
Mild
Severe

19. Common Causes of Disorder Attachment
Abuse
Neglect
Addiction
Multiple out of home placements
Parental death/loss
Severe
Mild

20. Hard Being An Orphan
View Movie Clip from website (5,530 kb .wmv)

21. Characteristics
Behavioral
Emotional

22. Characteristics
Thought
Relational

23. Characteristics
Physical
Moral/Spiritual

24. Small Group Exercise 2

25. Overview Definitions of Secure/Insecure Attachment
Types of Disordered Attachment
Effects of Attachment Quality & Trauma on the Developing Brain
Treatment and Strategies

26. Brain Development
Normal
Altered

27. Brain Development
Fetal—first 2 years—most rapid growth; quality of caretaking impacts brain
Alarm Reactions
Normal
Alter chemical wiring
Traumatized infants/children
Neurobehavioral problems
Altered

28. Attachment Disorder and ADHD
Bonding Breaks
Attachment Deficits
Symptoms of ADHD

29. Small Group Exercise 3

30. Homer Returns
View Movie Clip from website (19,304 kb .wmv)

31. Overview Definitions of Secure/Insecure Attachment
Types of Disordered Attachment
Effects of Attachment Quality & Trauma on the Developing Brain
Treatment and Strategies

32. Treatment Create attachment patterns
Systemic approach to ward against triangulation
Holistic-integrative approaches
Revisit, revise, revitalize
Relationship healing

33. Strategies for Developing Secure Attachments
Reciprocal behaviors between child and adult
Respectful eye contact, body language
Respectful verbal language
Calming, soothing, nurturing responses
Claiming behaviors
Physical proximity and touching
Careful, deliberate listening
Accepting limits - boundaries

34. Strategies for Developing Secure Attachments
Climate and Relational
Ease and spontaneity in words and movements
Comfort in compliments, affection, appreciation
Harmony in words and actions
Preserve harmony and dignity under stress

35. Strategies for Developing Secure Attachments
Classroom Environment/Structure
Rationality
Realism
Intuitiveness
Creativity
Admit and correct mistakes
Benevolence and cooperativeness

36. Strategies for Developing Secure Attachments
Specific Instruction and Intervention Approaches
Family Bereavement Program
Character trait assessment through literature
Integration of Search Institute External/Internal Asset Checklist into curriculum, lessons activities
Role model unit
Share personal feelings and stories
Create and maintain safe, non-judgmental instructional environment
Teacher Assistance Programs

37. Small Group Exercise 4

38. References
 Ainsworth, M. D. S., & Wittig, B. A. (1969). Attachment and the exploratory behavior of one year olds in a strange situation. In B. M. Foss (Ed.), Determinants of infant behavior (Vol. 4, pp ). London: Metheun.
Gallup, G. H., Moore, D. W., & Schussel, R. (1995). Disciplining children in America: A Gallup Poll Report. Princeton, NJ: The Gallup Organization.
Irving, John. (1999). The Cider House Rules. Modern Library: ISBN:
 Lach, J. (1997). Facilitating developmental attachment: The road to emotional recover and behavioral change in foster and adopted children. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.
 Levy, Terry, M. (editor). (2000). Handbook of Attachment Interventions. San Diego: California.
 Lyons-Ruth, K., Alpern, L., & Repacholi, B. (1993). Disorganized infant attachment classification and maternal psychosocial problems as predictors of hostile-aggressive behavior in the preschool classroom. Child Development, 64,
 Main, M., & Solomon, J. (1990). Procedures for identifying infants as disorganized/disoriented during the Ainsworth Strange Situation. In M. Greenberg, D. Cicchetti, & E. M. Cummings (Eds.), Attachment in the preschool years: Theory, research, and intervention (pp ). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Perry, B. D., Pollard, R., Blakely, T., Baker, W., & Vigilante, D. (1995). Childhood trauma, the neurobiology of adaptation and “use-dependent” development of the brain: How “states” become “traits”. Infant Mental Health Journal, 16(4),
Terr, L. A. (1991). Chihood traumas: An outline and overview. American Journal of Psychiatry, 148, 1-20.
The Cider House Rules. (1999). Miramax Films.

39. Questions ?

40. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Thanks for Coming!
Maureen Mack, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire