Attachment Theory: Key Concepts, Patterns, and Development

What influential research did Bowlby base his Attachment Theory on?

Research on animal imprinting by Lorenz (1935), where ducklings bond with the first moving figure they see.

What are the physical and emotional consequences of disturbed relationships in infants?

Distress, anxiety, screaming, listlessness, and detachment.

What is the primary conclusion of Bowlby's Attachment Theory regarding infants and caregivers?

Infants who form an attachment to a caregiver are more likely to survive and grow.

What are some biologically wired attachment behaviors in infants?

Sucking, clinging, following, crying, and smiling.

What is the significance of feeding in the context of caregiver-infant relationships?

Feeding enables mothers and infants to build close relationships beyond just satisfying hunger.

What did Harlow & Zimmerman (1959) discover about attachment in monkeys?

Monkeys preferred clinging to a cloth surrogate mother over a wire surrogate that provided food, highlighting the importance of contact comfort.

When does bonding begin in human infants?

Before birth.

What is the typical age range for the first clear attachment to a primary caregiver?

From 6-7 months to approximately 3 years.

What is separation anxiety and when does it peak in infants?

A normal response once attached, peaking between 14 to 18 months.

What are the four attachment patterns identified in The Strange Situation?

Secure, resistant (ambivalent), avoidant, and disorganized-disoriented.

What characterizes secure attachment in infants?

Exploration when the parent is present, balanced reactions to caregiver, and quick return to baseline after distress.

What are the characteristics of resistant (ambivalent) attachment?

Little exploration, strong separation anxiety, and anger upon caregiver's return.

Describe avoidant attachment in infants.

Minimal interest in caregiver, limited separation anxiety, and indifference upon reunion.

What behaviors are associated with disorganized-disoriented attachment?

Dazed behavior, freezing, seeking contact but then moving away.

What type of parenting contributes to secure attachment?

Sensitive and responsive parenting that is attuned to the child's physical and emotional needs.

How does separation from a primary caregiver affect attachment?

The infant can remain fine if the remaining parent provides sensitive and responsive care.

What is the difference between primary and secondary attachments?

Primary attachments are to the main caregivers, while secondary attachments are to relatives or friends.

What long-term benefits are associated with secure attachment in infancy?

Self-esteem, positive relationships, social competence, resilience, and self-reliance.

What is the relationship between attachment style in infancy and adulthood?

Attachment styles in infancy can predict relationship behaviors and attitudes in adulthood.

What are the characteristics of secure attachment in adulthood?

Trust in partners, ease of dependence, and reliability.

How does resistant attachment manifest in adulthood?

Fear of abandonment, distrust, jealousy, and preoccupation with emotional closeness.

What are the traits of avoidant attachment in adulthood?

Avoidance of emotional dependence, difficulty forming relationships, and denial of attachment needs.

What is an internal working model in the context of attachment theory?

A cognitive construct that shapes expectations and behaviors in relationships based on early childhood experiences.

How do positive and negative models of self and others affect attachment styles?

Positive models lead to secure attachment, while negative models can result in preoccupied, dismissing, or fearful attachment styles.

What is the impact of a secure attachment history on an individual's approach to relationships?

Healthy balance of attachment and autonomy, with freedom to explore.

What does a preoccupied attachment history indicate about an individual's self-worth?

Desperation for love to feel worthy, with anxiety about abandonment.

How does a dismissing attachment history affect emotional expression?

Shutting out emotions and avoiding intimacy, leading to compulsive self-reliance.

What does a fearful attachment history suggest about an individual's relationship needs?

A need for relationships coupled with doubt about self-worth and fear of intimacy.