1. ATTACHMENT THEORY
PSYCH 4040: Developmental Psychology Social and Emotional Development Nicole Lim

2. Your thoughts? What are some needs that are important to a baby?
In a group, discuss & rank

3. Our Goals for Today
Identify key stages and components of Bowlby’s Attachment Theory
Distinguish between the categories in Ainsworth’s Attachment theory
Characteristics
Measurements
Implications
Ability to apply what we learn

4. Defining Attachment
Enduring emotional bond that exists between a child and significant people in the child’s life
“Lasting psychological connectedness between human beings” - Bowlby
“Affectional tie that one person or animal forms between himself and another specific one – a tie that binds them together in space and endures over time” - Ainsworth

5. Bowlby’s Four Phases of Attachment
Preattachment phase (birth - 6 weeks)
Do not discriminate amongst people around them
Attachment-in-the-making (6 weeks months)
Infants prefer familiar people

6. Bowlby’s Four Phases of Attachment
Clear-cut attachment (6-8 months - 1½-2 years)
Infants actively seek contact with familiar individuals
Separation Anxiety
Reciprocal relationships (1½-2 years +)
Working partnerships with caregivers

7. Bowlby’s Four Key Components of Attachment
Proximity Maintenance
Safe Haven
Secure Base
Separation Distress

8. Video: Identify the Components!
baby scared of vacuum
Proximity Maintenance
Safe Haven
Secure Base
Separation Distress

9. Evaluating Attachment
Ainsworth’s “Strange Situation” Procedure
Mom & child play
Stranger enters
1st Separation – Mom leaves
1st Reunion – Mom returns
2nd Separation – Mom leaves
2nd Reunion – Mom returns
2nd Reunion – Mom returns

10. Attachment Categories
Secure (65%)
Caregiver = secure base
Seeks contact
Comforted by mother
Greets mother happily after separation
Ambivalent/Resistant (15%)
Extreme distress during separation
Won’t be comforted upon caregiver’s return
Expresses anger at caregiver

11. Attachment Categories
Insecure/avoidant (20%)
Little distress during separations
Avoids contact with mother upon return
Disorganized Attachment (<5%)
Inconsistent behaviors
Often appear dazed or disoriented

12. Video: Attachment Categories
Secure, Insecure, Avoidant & Ambivalent Attachment in Mothers & Babies

13. Let’s discuss
In what ways can Attachment theory be applied to your interest/field?
Review the list you created for “what’s important to babies”, are there any changes to your rankings? ? ? ?