Temperament and Attachment

temperament

individual differences in emotion reactivity and self-regulation

temperaments are

fairly stable across situations and is biologically based

Easy babies

40% of babies and are adjusted readily to new experiences and were relatively calm

difficult babies 

(10%) slow to adjust to new experiences and likely to react negatively

slow-to-warm-up babies

(15%) somewhat difficult at first but became easier over time

Mary Rothbart’s theory of temperament

temperament is controlled by effortful control, negative effect, and extraversion

Environment contributes to temperament in 3 ways

1. parents behaviour

2. genetic effects can be amplified

3. temperament may make some children susceptible to environmental influences

stability of temperament

temperament is relatively stable through infancy and becomes more stable in preschool years though it can be changed by environment

goodness of fit

when children’s temperament matches the environment the development is optimal

Attachment 

an emotional, affectionate, and reciprocal bond with a specific person that is enduring across time and space 

children are biologically predisposed to

develop attachments with caregivers as it increases chances of survival

Stages of attachment development

1. pre-attachment

2. attachment in the making

3. true attachment

4. reciprocal attachment

preattachment 

birth to 6-8 weeks

infants learn to recognize their mother based on smell and sound 

foundation of attachment

attachment in the making

6-8 weeks to 6-8 months

infants begin to respond preferentially to familiar people

true attachment

6-8 months to 18 months

primary caregiver is secure basis

provides a sense of security that makes it possible for infant to explore the environment

reciprocal attachment 

18+ months 

children become active partners in attachment relationship 

Mary Ainsworth assessing attachment

assess infants attachment to their primary caregiver by exposing them to 2 separations and reunions with caregiver as well as 2 situations where infant is left alone with stranger (one where caregiver is present and on where they are not)

Secure attachment characteristics

explores environment

upset when parent leaves

happy to see caregiver when they return

recovers quickly

Insecure attachment (ambivalent) 

clingy to caregiver 

upset/angry when parent leaves

not comforted by parent or stranger 

insecure attachment (avoidant)

avoidant of caregiver

easily comforted by stranger

avoids caregiver when they return

Disorganized attachment

no consistent way of coping with stress

behaviour is confusing and contradicting

appears dazed and disoriented

Factors of attachment

involvement of father

infants usually first attach to

mothers and then to fathers preferring to play with fathers but mother’s comfort

children who are securely attached as infants have

closer more harmonious relationships with peers, better emotional health and higher grades

Adult attachment styles

1. secure

2. dismissive

3. preoccupied

Infant attachment styles

1. secure

2. insecure avoidant

3. insecure ambivalent

4. disorganized

Secure attachment (adult)

describe value of impact of caregiver relationship

can make and maintain healthy relationships, trust and comfortable with closeness

Dismissive attachment style

deny value of childhood experiences and are unable to recall precisely or may idealize caregiver

highly independent and avoid closeness

Preoccupied attachment style

describes childhood emotionally often express anger and confusion about caregiver relationship

strong desire for intimacy and closeness and constant strong fear of abandonment

adult attachment style is predicted by

mother sensitivity during first 18 months of life

(more sensitive mother = more secure baby)

secure adults are more likely to provide

sensitive caregiving 

Tronick’s still face experiment

infants rely on social engagement for emotional regulation and learning and this will impact their attachment

Internal working model of attachment

based on the parent-child attachment the child develops a mental representation of the self, attachment figures and of relationships in general

Circle of security

Framework for understanding children’s difficult behaviour and caregivers challenges in responding to these behaviours

focus is on children’s attachment needs and caregivers state of mind rather than behavior