1. Attachment Theory

2. Definition of Attachment
An enduring emotional tie to a special person, characterized by a tendency to seek and maintain closeness, especially during times of stress.

3. Roots of Attachment Theory
John Bowlby applied ethology to infants
Influenced by Konrad Lorenz
Infant’s innate behaviors are evolved responses which promote survival

4. Importance of Attachment
Implications for infant's sense of security
Affects internal working model
Freud, Erikson, Behaviorists described its impact on development

5. Bowlby’s Four Stages of Attachment
Preattachment phase
Birth - 6 weeks
Baby’s innate signals attract caregiver
Caregivers remain close by when the baby responds positively

6. Attachment in the Making
6 wks to 6-8 months
Develops a sense of trust that caregiver will respond when signaled
Infants respond more positively to familiar caregiver
Babies don't protest when separated from parent

7. Clear-cut Attachment 6-8 months to 18-24 months
Babies display separation anxiety
Babies protest when parent leaves

8. Formation of Reciprocal Relationship
18 mo - 2yrs
Toddlers increase their understanding of symbols and language improves
Toddlers understand that parents will return

9. Factors which Affect Attachment
Opportunity for attachment
Quality of caregiving
respond promptly and consistently
interactional synchrony – the sensitively tuned “emotional dance”
Infant characteristics
infant's temperament, special needs, prematurity, or illnesses

10. More Factors which Affect Attachment
Family circumstances
Stress can undermine attachment
Parents’ internal working models
Parents’ own attachment experiences
Parents’ ability to accept their past

11. Measuring the Quality of Attachment
Mary Ainsworth researched
Designed the “strange situation”
A lab experiment with 8 different episodes of separation and reunion
Attached infant will:
Use mother as a secure base
Be soothed by the mother during the reunion

12. Secure attachment Uses caregiver as a secure base
May show distress at separation, but the baby can be soothed at reunion
60-65% of North American children

13. Insecure-Avoidant Attachment
Unresponsive to parent when she is present
Not distressed by parting
Avoids or slow to greet parent on return
20% of North American children

14. Insecure-Resistant Attachment
Infants remain close to parents and not eager to explore
Distressed by separation
During reunion, infants are both clingy and resistant
12% of North American children

15. Disorganized/Disoriented Attachment
No coherent strategy for handling separations or reunions
Baby looks dazed and confused
5-10% of North American children