Attachment I.What are emotional attachments II.Theories of attachment A.Behaviorist approach 1.Drive reduction model 2.Operant conditioning model 3.Problems with the models B.Psychoanalytic approach 1.Freud’s theory 2.Erikson’s theory C.Cognitive-developmental approach D.Ethological approach 1.Background of the theory 2.The developmental course of attachment III.Measurement of attachment A.The “strange situation” B.The attachment Q-sort C.Patterns of attachment IV.Factors affecting attachment A.Maternal deprivation and institutionalization B.Quality of care-giving C.Infant characteristics D.Family circumstances

Theories of Attachment Behaviorist Approach The importance of feeding and drive reduction Elicits positive responses Mothers provide infants with additional comforts, such as warmth, vocalizations All occur in single setting Mom becomes source of reinforcement

Theories of Attachment Behaviorist Approach Harlow & Zimmerman (1959) Contact comfort Harry Harlow

Theories of Attachment Behaviorist Approach Blanket Attachment and Play

Theories of Attachment Behaviorist Approach The importance of feeding and drive reduction Elicits positive responses Mothers provide infants with additional comforts, such as warmth, vocalizations All occur in single setting Mom becomes source of reinforcement Operant Conditioning model Infants look, smile, and seek proximity because mom reciprocates with smiles, hugs The greater number of behaviors that get reinforced by particular person, the more one is attached to that person

Theories of Attachment Psychoanalytic Approach Freudian approach Similar to drive reduction Become attached to person who satisfies basic biological drives (typically Mom) Relationship with Mom then prototype for romantic relationships throughout life Erikson’s approach 1 st developmental stage: birth – 1 yr: Trust vs. mistrust Children become attached to people who minister to needs Importance of mother’s overall responsiveness

Theories of Attachment Cognitive-Developmental Approach Little to say about which people to whom one becomes attached Suggests that attachment depends, in part, on level of cognitive development Must be able to discriminate familiar persons from strangers Must recognize that familiar persons have permanence – object permanence abilities, as discussed earlier Thus, timing of attachment related to timing of development of cognitive ability

Theories of Attachment Ethological Approach Central feature of theory Babies born with in-born set of behaviors Behaviors elicit parent care, thus increase change of survival John Bowlby

Theories of Attachment Ethological Approach The developmental course of attachment The preattachment phase (birth – 6 wks) Behavior a matter of genetically determined reflexive responses with survival value Promote physical contact Attachment in the making (6 wks – 6/8 mos) Orient and respond with preference towards mom No specific attachment yet The phase of clearcut attachment (6/8 mos – 18/24 mos) Shows separation anxiety Mom as a “safe haven” Formation of a reciprocal relationship (18/24 mos – ) Decrease in separation anxiety John Bowlby

Theories of Attachment Ethological Approach Four phases produce enduring affectionate tie to caregiver Use as a secure based in parent’s absence Used as an internal working model Produces attachment-related expectations for parental comfort and support Johnson, Dweck, & Chen (2007) Habituated to display of small and large ovals Tested with responsive and unresponsive caregiver

Measurement of Attachment The Strange Situation Background University of Toronto B.A., M.A., & Ph.D Ph.D supervisor – William E. Blatz (child development and security theory) Moved to England in 1950, worked at the Tavistock Clinic with John Bowlby Moved to Uganda in 1953 Moved to Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) in 1955 Mary Ainsworth (nee Salter)

Measurement of Attachment The Strange Situation EpisodePersons PresentDurationDescription of Activity 1Mother, baby and observer 30 sec Observer introduces mother and baby to experimental room, then leaves 2Mother and baby3 min Mother is nonparticipant while baby explores. If necessary, play is stimulated after 2 min. 3Stranger, mother and baby 3 min Stranger enters, Min. 1: stranger silent; Min. 2: stranger talks with mother; Min 3: stranger approaches baby. After 3 min., mother leaves 4Stranger and baby3 min or less First separation episode. Stranger’s behavior is geared to that of baby 5Mother and baby3 min or more First reunion episode. Mother greets and comforts baby, then tries to settle baby into play. Mother then leaves, waves bye-bye 6Baby alone3 min or less Second separation episode 7Stranger & baby3 min or less Continuation of second separation. Stranger enters and gears behavior to that of baby 8Mother and baby3 min Second reunion episode. Mother enters, greets baby. Stranger leaves

Measurement of Attachment Patterns of Attachment Securely Attached Distressed during separation Seeks out mother during reunion About 60% of North-American infants Insecure – Avoidant Unresponsive to mom Avoids parent during reunion About 15% of North-American infants Insecure – Resistant Seeks closeness to mom, fails to explore Combines clinginess and resistant behavior upon return About 10% of North-American infants Insecure – Disorganized/Disoriented Combination of avoidant and ambivalent/resistant Confusion over whether to approach or avoid During reunion may act dazed or freeze About 15% of North-American infants

Measurement of Attachment Attachment Q-sort Observation of 90 behaviors “The child greets the mother with a big smile when entering the room” “When the mother moves far away, the child follows along” “The child uses the mother’s facial expression as a good source of information about something risky” Sorted into 9 categories Not at all descriptive – Highly descriptive

Factors Affecting the Development of Attachment Early availability of a consistent caregiver Work with institutionalized infants (Spitz, 1946) Work with infants in institution with good infant- caregiver ratio, but high staff turnover Research on adoption of European orphans Indiscriminate friendliness ERP differences in the processing of emotional information René Spitz

Factors Affecting the Development of Attachment Early availability of a consistent caregiver Work with institutionalized infants (Spitz, 1946) Work with infants in institution with good infant- caregiver ratio, but high staff turnover Research on adoption of European orphans Indiscriminate friendliness ERP differences in the processing of emotional information Quality of caregiving Impact of sensitive caregiving How crucial are such factors? Gusii of Kenya Mothers in Puerto Rico Infant characteristics Infant difficulties and temperament Combination of factors Family circumstances Stressors in the family Parent’s own history of attachment Internal working models and reconstructed memories