Attachment Theory and Developmental Psychology: Study Notes

Attachment Theory

Introduction to Attachment

Attachment is a foundational concept in developmental psychology, describing the close emotional bond that develops between an infant and their primary caregiver. This bond is crucial for the child's social, emotional, and cognitive development.

• Attachment: A lasting emotional connectedness between human beings, especially between a child and caregiver.

• John Bowlby is recognized as the founder of attachment theory, emphasizing the importance of early relationships in shaping a child's view of themselves and the world.

• Attachment is not just about proximity, but also about the quality of the emotional connection and responsiveness of the caregiver.

Bowlby's Theory of Attachment

John Bowlby proposed that attachment behaviors are biologically programmed and develop during a critical period in the first year of life. The nature of early attachment relationships forms a schema for future relationships and self-perception.

• Schema: A mental framework that helps individuals organize and interpret information about themselves and the world.

• Warm, responsive parents foster a sense of security and trust in the infant, leading to a positive schema.

• Cold, unresponsive parents may lead to a sense of unworthiness and mistrust in the infant, resulting in a negative schema.

• Bowlby believed that these early schemas are relatively permanent and influence later social and emotional development.

Critical Aspects of Attachment Formation

Consistent and sensitive responsiveness by the caregiver is essential for secure attachment. This involves recognizing and appropriately responding to the infant's needs (e.g., hunger, discomfort, illness, or emotional distress).

• Attachment is not always straightforward; factors such as parental mental health (e.g., postpartum depression, anxiety), stress, and environmental challenges can affect caregiver responsiveness.

• Enthusiasm and emotional reactivity of caregivers also play a role in the quality of attachment.

Individual Differences in Attachment

The Strange Situation Procedure

Mary Ainsworth developed the Strange Situation as a standardized measure to assess the quality of attachment between infants and caregivers.

• Securely attached children: Use the caregiver as a secure base from which to explore their environment. They show distress when the caregiver leaves and are easily comforted upon return.

• Avoidant children: Show insecurity by avoiding or ignoring the caregiver, often not seeking comfort when distressed.

• Resistant (ambivalent) children: Often cling to the caregiver but also resist closeness by fighting against comfort, showing ambivalence.

• Disorganized children: Display disorganized and confused behaviors, lacking a clear attachment strategy.

Parenting Styles and Attachment

The style of caregiving is closely linked to the type of attachment formed.

• Securely attached infants typically have caregivers who are sensitive and responsive to their needs.

• Avoidant infants often have caregivers who are emotionally unavailable or rejecting.

• Resistant infants tend to have inconsistent caregivers who are sometimes responsive and sometimes neglectful.

• Disorganized infants often have caregivers who are neglectful or frightening.

Role of Fathers in Attachment

Fathers as Attachment Figures

Research indicates that fathers, like mothers, can form strong attachment bonds with their infants. The quality of father-infant interaction is important for the child's development.

• Fathers are capable of being as sensitive and responsive as mothers in their interactions with infants.

• Engaged fathers tend to participate more in physical and playful activities with their children.

• Attachment to fathers can have unique influences on a child's social and emotional development.

Attachment Across the Lifespan

Long-Term Impact of Attachment

Attachment experiences in infancy can have lasting effects on relationships and mental health throughout life.

• Secure attachment in early life is associated with better social relationships, emotional regulation, and mental health in adolescence and adulthood.

• Attachment relationships expand beyond parents to include peers, teachers, and other significant figures as children grow older.

• Consistent patterns of secure attachment across childhood and adolescence predict positive outcomes in peer relations and emotional well-being.

Attachment in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

Attachment continues to play a role in social and emotional development during adolescence and emerging adulthood.

• Quality of attachment to parents remains important, but peer and romantic relationships become increasingly significant.

• Secure attachment is linked to better emotion regulation and social competence in adolescence.