Emotional Attachment Attachment is the bond that forms between an infant and their primary caregiver. Important development in the social and emotional life of an infant Occurs within the first 6 months of life All primates Physical touch and cuddling Attachment is the bond that forms between an infant and their primary caregiver. Important development in the social and emotional life of an infant Occurs within the first 6 months of life All primates Physical touch and cuddling

Harlow’s Monkey Study Studied rhesus monkeys with two kinds of artificial mothers. – Wire mother with a bottle – Terry cloth mother Psychologists predicted that babies would become attached to mother who provided food. Studied rhesus monkeys with two kinds of artificial mothers. – Wire mother with a bottle – Terry cloth mother Psychologists predicted that babies would become attached to mother who provided food.

Harlow’s Monkey Study 9jKlNK1Qc 9jKlNK1Qc NBEhzjg8I (begin at 2:09) NBEhzjg8I

Harlow’s Findings (1958, 1966) The baby monkeys ran to the terry cloth mother when scared, and by cuddling up to it, were calmed down. Contact comfort more important in attachment than the providing of nourishment. Contact Comfort – The innate pleasure derived from close physical contact, and is the basis of attachment. The baby monkeys ran to the terry cloth mother when scared, and by cuddling up to it, were calmed down. Contact comfort more important in attachment than the providing of nourishment. Contact Comfort – The innate pleasure derived from close physical contact, and is the basis of attachment.

Separation Anxiety Once babies become attached to their mothers, separation becomes difficult and distressing. 7-9 months, babies become fearful of strangers. Show separation anxiety when their caregiver leaves them. Continues until ages 2-3. Once babies become attached to their mothers, separation becomes difficult and distressing. 7-9 months, babies become fearful of strangers. Show separation anxiety when their caregiver leaves them. Continues until ages 2-3.

Mary Ainsworth’s Strange Situation (1973, 1979) An experiment that measures the attachment of an infant to their mother. Procedure: 1.Mother brings baby into unfamiliar room with toys. 2.A stranger enters the room. 3.The mother leaves the room. 4.The mother returns and the stranger leaves. Observers carefully watch how the child behaves with the mother, with the stranger, and when the mother returns. An experiment that measures the attachment of an infant to their mother. Procedure: 1.Mother brings baby into unfamiliar room with toys. 2.A stranger enters the room. 3.The mother leaves the room. 4.The mother returns and the stranger leaves. Observers carefully watch how the child behaves with the mother, with the stranger, and when the mother returns.

Attachment Styles Secure Attachment Secure attachment (2/3 of children): Babies are clearly distressed when the mother leaves. When the mother returns the baby becomes happy again and is able to play. Baby is obviously more attached to the mother than the stranger. Secure attachment is desired in the U.S. Leads to healthy adult relationships. UHU UHU Secure attachment (2/3 of children): Babies are clearly distressed when the mother leaves. When the mother returns the baby becomes happy again and is able to play. Baby is obviously more attached to the mother than the stranger. Secure attachment is desired in the U.S. Leads to healthy adult relationships. UHU UHU

Attachment Styles Insecure Attachment Two types of insecure attachment: Avoidant: – Does not care if the mother leaves the room. – Does not seek contact with her when she returns. – Treats the stranger the same as the mother GU (1:58-2:40) 7GU Two types of insecure attachment: Avoidant: – Does not care if the mother leaves the room. – Does not seek contact with her when she returns. – Treats the stranger the same as the mother GU (1:58-2:40) 7GU

Attachment Styles Insecure Attachment Anxious or ambivalent: – Protests when the mother leaves, but when she returns, the baby is not comforted. – May be angry with the mother, and resist her. (2:40- end) Insecure attachment (avoidant and anxious/ambivalent) can lead to emotional and behavioral problems in childhood, which may carry throughout the life. Anxious or ambivalent: – Protests when the mother leaves, but when she returns, the baby is not comforted. – May be angry with the mother, and resist her. (2:40- end) Insecure attachment (avoidant and anxious/ambivalent) can lead to emotional and behavioral problems in childhood, which may carry throughout the life.

A mother’s impact Ainsworth believed that the attachment of the child was entirely the result of the mother’s care. Sensitivity and responsiveness = a secure baby Insensitivity, unresponsiveness and coldness= insecure baby Ainsworth believed that the attachment of the child was entirely the result of the mother’s care. Sensitivity and responsiveness = a secure baby Insensitivity, unresponsiveness and coldness= insecure baby

Later research Neglect and abuse obviously negatively impact a child. Differences in normal child-rearing practices do not affect attachment style. Child’s genetic temperament impacts attachment. Stressful circumstances can shift the attachment from secure to insecure. Neglect and abuse obviously negatively impact a child. Differences in normal child-rearing practices do not affect attachment style. Child’s genetic temperament impacts attachment. Stressful circumstances can shift the attachment from secure to insecure.

Cultural Differences Germany – babies are left on their own to become self-reliant. Africa – babies spend ½ of their time without the mother. They do not develop 1-on-1 attachment. Japan- babies seem ambivalent to Westerners because they are clingy, dependent, and passive. Japanese regard this as normal because of the importance of the connection to others. Germany – babies are left on their own to become self-reliant. Africa – babies spend ½ of their time without the mother. They do not develop 1-on-1 attachment. Japan- babies seem ambivalent to Westerners because they are clingy, dependent, and passive. Japanese regard this as normal because of the importance of the connection to others.