Attachment in Child Development

What are the two broad types of attachment?

secure and insecure

Give 4 positive working models provided by secure attachment in infants:

1) social competence

2) positive view on their own value and safety

3) good emotional regulation and management

4) trusting

Give three examples of barriers to secure attachment:

1) divorce

2) bereavement

3) long periods of hospital care

Give the four stages of attachment development:

1) pre-attachment

2) attachment in the making

3) clear cut attachment

4) good partnership

When does pre-attachment occur?

0-2 months

When does attachment in the making occur?

2-7 months

When does clear cut attachment occur?

7-24 months

When does goal corrected partnership occur?

24+ months

Give two signs of secure attachment in infants:

1) stranger anxiety

2) separation distress

When (approx) will stranger anxiety begin in infants?

10 months

When (approx) will separation distress begin in infants?

12 months

What is trans-auditory learning?

where the baby listens from the womb and learns to recognise their mother's voice

True or false: infant brains are very plastic and the interactions they have mould development

true

Give a 9 step sequence of establishing attachment in infants:

1) helpless infant

2) responsive mother

3) infant develops trust

4) mother becomes more attached

5) infant becomes more attached

6) mother becomes a secure base

7) infant explores

8) mother encourages exploration and sets limits

9) infant develops autonomy and a concept of self

What are the two main forms of insecure attachment?

avoidant and resistant

What is avoidant insecure attachment?

where an infant avoids contact with their mother upon reunion after time apart and is okay when left with strangers

What is resistant insecure attachment?

where an infant becomes very upset by mother leaving as they do not trust she will return and is very difficult to console

What two things can a primary carer do to foster secure attachment?

1) be sensitive and responsive to the infant as much as possible

2) allow the infant to have a mind of their own

How will secure attachment continue into adult relationships?

it will enable comfortable relationships

How will avoidant insecure attachment continue into adult relationships?

it makes the individual dismissive of relationships

How will resistant insecure attachment continue into adult relationships?

makes the individual fear rejection from partner and have a strong desire to maintain closeness

Give an example of a charity that helps secure parent-child relationships form in disadvantaged areas:

Sure Start