Attachment
Page 1: Title Page
Attachment PSGY1006
Dr Olivia Jewell
Page 2: Overview
Importance of attachment in humans.
Bowlby’s attachment theory.
Attachment styles (Ainsworth).
Testing key principles of attachment theory.
Page 3: Learning Objectives
Understand the importance of attachment.
Describe attachment development according to Bowlby.
Outline ways to measure and categorize attachment.
Evaluate evidence supporting/refuting attachment theory.
Page 4: Key Terms
Attachment: Bond formed by an infant with their primary caregiver defined by proximity, comfort, and contentment.
Attachment styles: Different forms this bond can take.
Attachment behaviours: Responses indicating attachment style observed in various situations.
Page 5: Importance of Attachment
Attachment from an evolutionary perspective.
Page 6: Human Attachment & Evolution
Humans are born vulnerable due to large brain size, needing intensive care.
Long childhood period essential for development:
12 years until puberty.
Brain development continues into early adulthood (up to 25 years).
Key References:
Hrdy, S. B. (1946).
Keller, H. (2013).
Page 7: Brain/Body Proportions
Comparison of time until sexual maturity across species:
Gorilla: 7-8 years (17.5% – 20% of lifetime).
Baboon: 5-8 years (16% - 27% of lifetime).
Lemurs: 20 months (16% - 25% of lifetime).
Humans: 13 – 17 years (32% - 43% of lifetime).
Conclusion: As brain/body proportions increase, the time until sexual maturity extends, necessitating more adult care.
Key Reference: Smaers, J. B. et al. (2021).
Page 8: Human Attachment in Context
Humans require a supportive environment for development: "It takes a village..."
In history, care was provided by biological parents and extended family.
Today, non-parental care is common in nurseries and schools, requiring infants to bond with various caregivers.
Page 9: Bowlby’s Attachment Theory
Introduction to Bowlby’s Framework.
Page 10: John Bowlby
British psychologist, founder of attachment theory (1950s).
Contrasted psychoanalytic views emphasizing feeding as the primary motive for attachment.
Recognized a biological urge for infants to bond with caregivers beyond basic needs.
Page 11: Key Experiments
Wire vs. cloth mother experiments (Harlow, 1958).
Ethology studies on imprinting and critical periods (Lorenz, 1952).
Page 12: Development of Attachment
Five phases:
First few months: Indiscriminate orientation towards people.
5-7 months: Preferential engagement with caregivers.
7-9 months: Crawling to caregiver; distressed when separated.
2-3 years: Goal-corrected partnership with caregiver.
4 years+: Shift from proximity to emotional closeness.
Page 13: Lifelong Significance of Attachment
Initial attachments form an ‘internal working model’ that shapes future relationship perceptions.
Early experiences largely predict later outcomes, but can be revised with new experiences (Lewis, 1997).
Page 14: Evidence for Lifelong Significance
Meta-analysis: Attachment styles at 12 months predict later attachment but effects diminish with age (Fraley, 2002).
Page 15: Ainsworth's Attachment Styles
Overview of Mary Ainsworth’s contributions.
Page 16: Mary Ainsworth
Collaborated with Bowlby, studied mother-infant interactions in Uganda and the USA.
Defined three attachment types and created the Strange Situation Procedure.
Page 17: Measuring Attachment Styles
Strange Situation Procedure: A method to assess attachment styles.
Page 18: Attachment Styles
Types defined by infant behavior at separation/reunion:
Type A (Dismissive/Avoidant): Not distressed; ignores caregiver.
Type B (Secure): Distressed but recovers quickly; seeks proximity.
Type C (Anxious/Ambivalent): Distressed; seeks proximity but resists.
Type D (Disorganized): Inconsistent or bizarre responses.
Page 19: Testing Key Principles of Attachment Theory
Universality hypothesis: Most infants form an attachment with at least one caregiver.
Normativity hypothesis: Most infants are securely attached in non-threatening contexts.
Sensitivity hypothesis: Security depends on responsive care from caregivers.
Competence hypothesis: Secure attachment results in positive child outcomes.
Page 20: Cultural Differences in Attachment
Cultural influences on attachment:
Western norms of individual autonomy vs. communal care.
Varied responses to strangers influencing attachment.
Page 21: Hypothesis Support
Universality and normativity hypotheses are generally validated across cultures.
Page 22: Testing Key Hypotheses
Review of established attachment theory hypotheses, reaffirming their relevance.
Page 23: Critical Evaluation
Definition of maternal responsivity varies; sensitivity is culturally contextual.
Critical evaluation of what constitutes responsive behavior.
Page 24: Supported Hypotheses of Attachment Theory
Varied support for sensitivity and competence hypotheses; cultural contexts impact responsiveness.
Page 25: Reiteration of Key Hypotheses
Restatement of key hypotheses central to attachment theory research.
Page 26: Positive Outcomes of Attachment
Secure attachment in infancy linked to:
Greater curiosity and problem-solving at age 2.
Social confidence at age 3; empathy at age 5.
Fewer behavioral issues at age 3 (McCartney et al., 2004).
Page 27: Limits of Our Knowledge
Limited cross-cultural research: Many regions and cultural contexts remain unexplored.
Page 28: Summary
Evolutionary basis for human attachment urges.
Key figures: Bowlby and Ainsworth.
Attachment theory posits 4 hypotheses and types, supported by empirical data yet requiring further cross-cultural investigation.