Which approaches can be best account for attachment

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Attachment theory  

Running head: INFANT AND CAREGIVER

Which Approaches Can Be Best Account for Attachment?

An Assignment Submitted in Partial Fulfilment

Of the Requirements for the Degree of

Bachelor of Social Sciences in

Psychology

December 2010

Which Approaches Can Be Best Account for Attachment?

   Bowbly is a founder of attachment theory. He suggested that there was a critical period for the development of attachments between infant and caregiver. Attachment can be defined as intense, emotional ties to specific people. Attachment is a strong affectional tie between an infant and another person who persists across time and space. “Almost every infant will develop an affective tie with a caregiver, and will endeavor to use that caregiver as a source of comfort and reassurance in the face of challenges or threats from the environment” (Weinfield, Sroufe, Egeland & Carlson, 1999). If the caregiver is dependable, infants can feel free to explore the world as they are secure. Bowlby concluded that “the infant and young child should experience a warm, intimate, and continuous relationship with his mother in which both find satisfaction and enjoyment” (Bowlby, 1951). There are four stages of attachment. During the pre-attachment phase, infants from birth to 2 months interact with most people with their cries to signal needs and return to relaxed state when need is met. There is no preferential behavior distinguish carer from strangers. During the attachment in the making phase, infants between 2 to 8 months begin to develop a preference for carer, but still not so strong to reject unfamiliar adults. In clear cut attachment, infants from 8 months to 2 years possess a very strong attachment to their caregivers and fear of stranger and separation anxiety. During the final stage, goal corrected partnership, children have ability to represent and memorize which allow them to interact with environment in an active way. They no longer require the constant attention from their parents. They can separate from their parents in a short periods in this stage. Bowlby thought that if a child was deprived of their mother between 6 months and five years of age then this would lead to difficulties in later life. They would be unable to form attachments with others.

Psychologists measure attachment by Strange Situation Test (SST). This method is developed by the influential psychologist Mary Ainsworth in 1978. The Strange Situation test is about the baby response to the temporary absence of his/her mother. Infants are exposed to eight different episodes involving the mother and a stranger in order to test a infant’s attachment style. First of all, researchers put the infant and his/her mother alone in an experimental room. The room has toys or other interesting things in it, and the mother lets the child explore the room on her own. After the infant has had time to explore, a stranger enters the room and talks with the mother. Then the stranger shifts attention to the child. As the stranger approaches the child, the mother walks away. After a while, the mother returns. She comforts her baby and then leaves again. The stranger leaves as well. After a few minutes, the stranger returns and interacts with the infant. Finally, the mother returns and greets her baby. The Strange Situation was designed to present children with an unusual, but not overwhelmingly frightening, experience.

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There are three patterns of infant’s response to the Strange Situation, including secure-attachment, insecure avoidance, and insecure anxious. In secure attachment, infant use their caregiver as a secure base. Infant explores the room freely when mother is present. Infant showed distress when separated from her mother, and she explores less when mother is absent. She cried for a while but could stop later. She accepted some contact with stranger. She is happy when mother returns. Infant has positive and negative emotions during the Srange Situation Test. If she cries, she approaches her carer and holds her tightly. She is comforted ...

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