Socio-emotional Development Play Temperament Attachment-Harlow this American Life

Attachment What is it? A reciprocal, enduring emotional tie between an infant and a caregiver, each contributing to the quality of the relationship. 11/14/2018

Early Work in Bonding and Attachment Spitz (1945)- importance of early interaction with adults Institutionalized infants- Okay for first 3-6 months After 6 months, showed a “failure to thrive” Longer stay= worse outcome > 4 years, very few were able to overcome problems 11/14/2018

Early Work in Bonding and Attachment Harlow (1959)- Questioned the importance of contact comfort first 6 months raised in isolation Contact comfort vs feeding wire “mother” for feeding and another cloth covered “mother” preferred cloth one, even if food came from wire one 11/14/2018

Early Work in Bonding and Attachment Bowlby (1969)- Bonding. Developed “attachment theory” “Ethological Theory” based on evolutionary theory- Lorenz instinctual responses that are important for protection and survival of the species Infant is only capable of bonding with one caregiver Stages of separation 11/14/2018

Mary Ainsworth (1964-present) Caregiving hypothesis- Attachment quality depends on the quality of the attention the infant receives. Stranger Anxiety- Begins w/ first Attach. peaks @ 8-10 mo Separation Anxiety- Begins ~ 6-8 mo, peaks 14-18 mo, 7-8 years old? Secure Base Phenomenon and social referencing 11/14/2018

The strange situation Used to establish whether infant views the caregiver as a secure base- Sequence of 8 intervals, take approx 3 min. each Most important measure from this scenario? Child’s response upon mother’s return Testing infant’s stranger and separation anxiety, as well as the secure base phenomenon 11/14/2018

Types of Attachment Securely Attached (65-70%)- Type B Explores the environment Uses caregiver as a secure base May be upset- caregiver left, but easily soothed upon return Greets caregiver warmly and goes on with play 11/14/2018

Types of Attachment Insecure, anxious/resistant (10-15%)- Type C Stays close to caregiver Explores very little very distressed when caregiver leaves, angry & resistant upon caregiver’s return May be difficult to console Wary of strangers 11/14/2018

Types of Attachment Insecure, anxious/avoidant (15%)- Type A Little distress with the leaving or returning of the caregiver Ignores caregiver even when eliciting attention May or may not be sociable with strangers Disorganized (15%)- Type D Not sure how to respond to caregiver May freeze when reunited May approach but then refuse contact Seeks comfort but expresses anger and refuses comfort offered 11/14/2018

Possible Influential Factors Parental sensitivity Responsivity Resistant- inconsistent Avoidant- unavailable Disorganized- abusive Temperament 11/14/2018

Stages of Attachment Asocial (birth-~6 weeks)- “Pre-attachment”- Can elicit social response with many types of interactions @ 6 weeks, begin to show preference for smiling faces Indiscriminate (6 wks- 6 or 8 months)- “Attachment in the making” Prefer humans to dolls or toys Don’t seem to distinguish one familiar person from another, but respond to familiar vs. strange differently Enjoy attention from many different people But… behavior shows otherwise 11/14/2018

Stages of Attachment Specific (@ 6-8 months to 1.5 yrs-2 yrs) Show clear preference for one primary caregiver (usually mom) Beginnings of stranger anxiety Initial wariness of unfamiliar person Shows separation anxiety Protests at being separated from a particular person Uses parent as secure base from which to explore 11/14/2018

Stages of Attachment Multiple (begins just after primary specific attachment is formed, virtually all children have multiple by 18 mo) also, “formation of a reciprocal relationship” Can form attachments with multiple others Fathers, siblings, daycare providers, etc Separation anxiety decreases Can now understand factors causing separation and develops expectations about the reunion 11/14/2018

Home visits You have been asked to conduct home visits for infants and toddlers who may be at-risk for insecure attachment. What clues would you look for to discern between avoidant, resistant, and disorganized attachment? What caregiving behaviors might signal a threat to attachment security? Infant characteristics? What questions would you ask to help in your investigation? 11/14/2018