Secure, Insecure, Avoidant Ambivalent Attachment in Mothers Babies

Summary

The video script details an experiment observing the bond between a mother and child through their reactions during separation and reunion. In the study, babies are left alone after playing with their mothers and their behavior is observed upon the mother's return. The experiment highlights two distinct attachment patterns: secure babies who are comforted by their mother's return and quickly resume play, and insecure babies who either avoid engagement or express anger. These patterns offer insights into the long-term impact of a mother's responsiveness on the child’s emotional development.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The experiment is designed to assess the security of the mother-child relationship through observation behind a two-way mirror.
• 🐇 The test begins with the child playing with toys in the presence of the mother, establishing a baseline for behavior.
• 📊 The value of this test has been confirmed by longitudinal studies, where children were observed at one year old and interviewed about parental relationships at 21.
• 👩‍👦 A key part of the experiment involves the mother leaving the room to observe the child's reaction to her absence and return.
• 😢 The child's reaction to the mother’s return is a crucial indicator of their attachment style, focusing on whether they can be calmed by her presence.
• 👶 The secure child initially shows distress when the mother leaves but quickly returns to playing when she returns, indicating a secure attachment.
• 💔 An avoidant attachment is displayed by a child who appears indifferent or sullen upon the mother's return, showing that the reunion does not calm them.
• 🤲 A key observation of avoidant children is that they do not engage with their mothers effectively during reunions, despite being upset by the mother's absence.
• 😡 A resistant or ambivalent attachment is characterized by children who seek comfort but cannot be calmed, often rejecting toys or comfort offered by the mother.
• 📉 The ambivalent child’s difficulty is thought to stem from inconsistent caregiving, where the mother has been unpredictable in providing comfort in the past.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the experiment described in the video?

The experiment is designed to gauge the security of the relationship between a mother and her child, specifically observing how the child reacts to the mother's absence and return.

What age group of children is typically observed in this experiment?

The experiment typically observes one-year-old children and tracks their responses to assess the long-term significance of their relationship with their parents.

How do researchers evaluate whether a child has a 'secure' attachment?

A child is considered to have a 'secure' attachment if they are able to calm down upon the mother's return and gradually resume playing, indicating that the mother's presence provides comfort and security.

What behavior suggests that a child has an 'insecure avoidant' attachment?

An 'insecure avoidant' attachment is suggested when the child remains emotionally disengaged after the mother's return, showing little interest in interacting with her, even though her absence caused distress.

What is the significance of the child's interest in toys during the experiment?

The child's interest in toys is used as an indicator of their emotional state. A securely attached child will initially focus on the mother when she returns but will gradually regain interest in their environment and toys, showing emotional recovery.

What reaction does the child in the video display when the mother returns, and what does this indicate?

In the video, one child remains sullen and emotionally distant when the mother returns, keeping their head down and arms out, indicating an 'insecure avoidant' attachment.

What term is used to describe children who cannot calm down even after their mother returns?

These children are described as 'resistant' or 'ambivalent.' They both want their mother’s comfort but are unable to use her presence to calm down, often displaying frustration and rejecting toys.

How do researchers explain the behavior of 'resistant' or 'ambivalent' children?

Researchers suggest that 'resistant' or 'ambivalent' children may have experienced inconsistent responses from their mother in the past, where the mother was not always available or responsive, leading to their difficulty in calming down.

What role does the mother's absence play in the child's distress during the experiment?

The mother's absence is the primary trigger for the child's distress in the experiment, and the child's response to her return is used to assess the security of their attachment.

Why is the reunion between mother and child considered crucial in this experiment?

The reunion is crucial because it tests whether the child can use the mother’s return to calm down and return to normal activities, reflecting the strength and security of their attachment.