REVISE Attachment in 29 MINS (AQA A-level Psychology)

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive overview of attachment theory, exploring key concepts such as caregiver-infant interactions, attachment stages, and cultural variations. It highlights influential studies by researchers like Bowlby, Ainsworth, and Harlow, demonstrating the importance of early emotional bonds in child development. The video also discusses various attachment types, the role of fathers, and the long-term effects of attachment on relationships. Additionally, it examines the impact of institutionalization and maternal deprivation. Viewers are encouraged to explore further resources for deeper study and revision of attachment theory.

Takeaways

• 😀 Attachment refers to the emotional bond between two people, where each seeks closeness and feels secure with the other.
• 😀 Meltzoff and Moore's 1977 study showed that babies as young as 2 weeks old can imitate facial expressions, highlighting early social interaction skills.
• 😀 Interactional synchrony, the coordinated timing of behaviors between infants and caregivers, plays a crucial role in emotional development and attachment.
• 😀 Schaefer and Emerson's 1964 research identified four stages of attachment development: asocial, indiscriminate, discriminate, and multiple attachments.
• 😀 The role of fathers in attachment varies by culture, with fathers often acting as playmates rather than primary caregivers, although they can still develop nurturing roles.
• 😀 Animal studies like those by Lorenz and Harlow have provided evidence for the biological and evolutionary nature of attachment behaviors, such as imprinting and contact comfort.
• 😀 The learning theory of attachment, based on classical and operant conditioning, suggests that attachments form because caregivers provide food, although this theory is challenged by research emphasizing the importance of responsiveness and comfort.
• 😀 Bowlby’s monotropic theory emphasizes the biological foundation of attachment, with a focus on a primary caregiver and the concept of a critical period for attachment formation.
• 😀 Ainsworth's Strange Situation identified three attachment types: secure, insecure avoidant, and insecure resistant, each with distinct patterns of behavior towards the caregiver.
• 😀 Cultural differences in attachment styles were highlighted by Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg, who found that secure attachment was universal, but cultures like Japan and Germany showed different rates of insecure attachment.
• 😀 Early attachment experiences shape future relationships, as demonstrated by Bowlby's internal working model, influencing both childhood peer relationships and adult romantic connections.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of this video on attachment?

The main purpose of the video is to provide a quick overview of the attachment topic, summarizing key concepts to help with revision, while offering more detailed resources through the Bear It In Mind website and YouTube channel.

What does attachment refer to in psychology?

Attachment refers to the emotional bond between two people where each seeks closeness and feels secure with the other.

What is the concept of interactional synchrony in infant-caregiver interactions?

Interactional synchrony refers to the coordinated timing of behaviors between the infant and the caregiver, which helps establish emotional connections and promotes social and emotional development.

What are the four stages of attachment according to Schaffer and Emerson?

The four stages of attachment are: 1) Asocial stage (0-6 weeks), 2) Indiscriminate attachment (6 weeks - 7 months), 3) Discriminate attachment (7-9 months), and 4) Multiple attachment (10-18 months).

How does Schaffer and Emerson’s research differ from Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment?

Schaffer and Emerson’s research suggested that children can form multiple attachments, not just one primary attachment, challenging Bowlby’s emphasis on monotropy, which stresses the importance of one primary caregiver.

What did Harry Harlow’s studies on rhesus monkeys reveal about attachment?

Harlow’s studies showed that emotional comfort, not just food, is key to attachment. Monkeys preferred soft cloth surrogates over wire ones that provided food, demonstrating the importance of contact comfort in attachment formation.

What are some strengths and weaknesses of the strange situation procedure developed by Ainsworth?

A strength of the strange situation is its controlled setting, which allows for standardized and reliable observations across different cultures. However, a weakness is its lack of ecological validity, as the controlled, unfamiliar setting may not reflect typical home behavior.

How do cultural differences influence attachment, as shown in Van Ijzendoorn’s meta-analysis?

Van Ijzendoorn’s meta-analysis showed that secure attachment is common across all cultures studied, but specific attachment types vary, such as higher rates of insecure avoidant attachment in Germany and insecure resistant attachment in Japan. Cultural values around independence and dependence explain these differences.

What is the main idea behind Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory?

Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory proposes that separation from the primary caregiver, especially before 2 and a half years, can lead to irreversible damage, affecting cognitive abilities, relationships, and emotional development.

What are the long-term effects of institutionalization on children, according to the English and Romanian adoptees study?

The English and Romanian adoptees study found that children adopted before 6 months showed near-complete recovery, while those adopted after 6 months experienced lasting issues such as emotional and cognitive deficits, including quasi-autism and lower IQ.

How does early attachment influence future relationships, according to Hazan and Shaver’s research?

Hazan and Shaver’s research found that childhood attachment styles influence adult romantic relationships. Securely attached individuals tend to have healthy, lasting relationships, while insecurely attached individuals often struggle with closeness and maintaining relationships.