Attachment and Parenting Styles Overview

Attachment

Emotional bond between infant & caregiver, shaping relationships, self-esteem, and emotional regulation.

Impact of Secure Attachment

Leads to confidence & emotional health.

Impact of Insecure Attachment

May cause trust & emotional struggles.

Harlow's Monkey Studies

Experiment where baby monkeys chose between a wire mother (food) and a cloth mother (comfort).

Findings of Harlow's Monkey Studies

Monkeys preferred the cloth mother, proving comfort is more important than nourishment for attachment.

Implications of Harlow's Studies

Emotional security is critical for healthy development (e.g., skin-to-skin contact in hospitals).

Mary Ainsworth's Strange Situation

A method to observe attachment styles in infants.

Secure Attachment

Distressed when caregiver leaves; comforted upon return. Leads to healthy self-esteem & strong relationships.

Avoidant Attachment

Little distress when caregiver leaves; avoids comfort. May struggle with intimacy & emotional dependence later in life.

Anxious/Ambivalent Attachment

Extreme distress when caregiver leaves; difficult to soothe. May develop fear of abandonment & need constant reassurance.

Authoritarian Parenting Style

Strict, high control, low warmth. Leads to anxiety, low self-esteem, and fear of authority.

Permissive Parenting Style

Warm but lacks discipline. May cause impulsiveness, poor self-discipline, and irresponsibility.

Neglectful/Uninvolved Parenting Style

Emotionally distant, little guidance. Can lead to low self-esteem, emotional detachment, and risky behaviors.

Authoritative Parenting Style

High expectations + warmth & communication. Encourages independence, problem-solving, and confidence.