Developmental Psychology - Attachments. Ainsworth and Bell demonstrated that children show two main characteristics of attachment.

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Psychology Attachment Questions

Ainsworth and Bell demonstrated that children show two main characteristics of attachment. The first being a secure attachment. The strange situation showed that the infant is distressed by the caregiver’s absence, but upon return the child quickly returns to a state of contentment. The infant will then immediately seek contact with the caregiver. There is a definite difference between the response to the caregiver and the response to the stranger.

The second is insecure. Ainsworth and Bell divided these into two sub categories: Resistant and Avoidant. In a resistant attachment, the infant becomes very distressed when the caregiver leaves but resists contact upon their return. When a stranger enters the room, the infant acts similar to a secure child with regards to the response to the stranger – they are wary of this person.

The other insecure attachment identified is avoidant. This attachment causes the infant to show little distress when the caregiver leaves and does not seek contact before or after the caregiver leaves. The infant will also treat the stranger in the same manner as the caregiver.

A securely attached child will be distressed when a caregiver leaves the child on its own. This will prompt a reaction seen on the child such as negative facial expressions, crying and screaming as they feel upset that their caregiver is not protecting or looking after them. Upon the caregiver’s return, the child will return to a state of content and seek the comfort of the caregiver.

Culture has been identified as a major factor in attachment types. Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg (1988) conducted a meta-analysis of 32 studies in across the world which used the strange situation.  There was a clear difference in the percentages of the types of attachment across the countries involved in the study.

Rothbaum et al (2006) argued that the concept of attachment is a Western idea that reflects Western cultures, ideals and norms. Western society (such as the US, which has a secure attachment of 71%, resistant 12% and avoidant 17%) has a much different view on how children should be brought up and how they should act. It is believed that in a healthy attachment, the child has a secure base, encouraging exploration and eventual individuation.

Alternately, Japan (which has a secure attachment of 68%, resistant of 32% and no avoidant attachment) is a collectivist culture in which dependency is more desirable. Closeness and interdependence is encouraged, but both of these are classed in the West as undesirable anxious-resistant characteristics.

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Attachment can vary across culture, as demonstrated by Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg. One factor is that the norms, values and expectations of a certain country can alter the way a child is brought up and how they perceive not only the world around them but how they form relationships. Japan places an emphasis on interdependency and closeness, which as stated before are undesirable characteristics in the west.

Kessen (1975) studied the Chinese culture and saw that children are socialised according to society’s values – that of co-operation and support of independency and individualism, and that one should not wish to ...

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