Bowlbly's attachment theory---------------
- 2. ATTACHMENT • Edward John Mostyn Bowlby was a British psychologist, psychiatrist and psychoanalysis • Bowlby described attachment as a unique relationship between an infant and his caregiver that is the foundation for further healthy development.
- 3. Theories • Sigmund Freud : Infant become attached to the person or object that provides oral satisfaction • Erikson : First year of life represents the stage of trust versus mistrust.
- 4. HARLOW’S CLASSICAL STUDY • Experiment by Harry Harlow • Harlow took infant monkeys from their biological mother and gave them to inanimate surrogate mothers: one was a simple construction of wire and wood, and second was covered in foam rubber and terry cloth. • Demonstrated that feeding is not the crucial element in the attachment process and that contact and comfort is important
- 5. John Bowlby • Both infants and primary care givers are biologically predisposed to form attachment • New born is biologically equipped to elicit attachment behaviour like they cries, clings , smile, walks towards the mother • Attachment can be developed through a series of phases • Phase 1 ( pre-attachment phase) : (birth to 2 months) Infant instinctively oriented to human figures. strangers, siblings and parents are equally likely to elicit smiling and crying from the infants • Phase 2( attachment in making) : ( 2 to 7 months) attachment become focused on one figure, usually primary caregiver, as the baby gradually learn to distinguish from familiar and unfamiliar
- 6. • Phase 3 ( clear cut attachment) : (7 to 24 months) • specific attachment develops with increased locomotor skills, babies seek contact with regular caregivers, such as mother or father • Will experience separation anxiety when the mother leaves • Phase 4 ( formation of reciprocal relationship) : ( from 24 months onwards) • children become aware of other’s feelings, goals, and plans and begin to take these into account in directing their own actions. • Begin to from strong emotional bonds with the caregivers other than mother like grandparents, siblings • Internal working model : • A simple mental model of the caregiver, their relationship and self as deserving of nurturant care
- 7. AINSWORTH’S STRANGE SITUATION • Mary Ainsworth was a psychologist , researcher and colleague of Bowlby expanded his theory • Her strange situation study revealed the profound effects of attachment on behaviour
- 8. Strange situation • Observational measure for infant’s attachment in which the infant experiences a series of introduction, separation and reunion with the care giver & adult stranger in a prescribed order through 8 sections: 1. Baby and mother is introduced into the room 2. The baby is placed facing the toys & mother reads magazine 3. The stranger enters 4. Parent leaves the room 5. Mother comes back 6. Baby is left alone 7. Stranger comes back 8. Reunited & stranger leaves
- 9. Attachment styles 1. Secure attachment 2. Insecure avoidant attachment 3. Insecure resistant attachment 4. Insecure disorganized attachment
- 10. Securely attached child • 70-75% • Use the caregiver as a secure from which to explore the environment • Protest mildly on the departs of the caregiver and re-establish positive interactions with her • Healthy communication style • Able to ask for help when needed
- 11. Insecure avoidant child • Usually seen in 20-25% of children • Engage in little interaction with the care giver, and are not distressed by their absence usually do not re-establish contact on their return. • Difficulty in expressing emotions • Tends to emotionally withdrawn from others • Unwilling to ask for help
- 12. Insecure resistant child • These babies often cling anxiously to the caregiver and don’t explore the play room and on the absence of the caregiver, they often cry loudly and pushes away on comforting on caregivers returning • Fear of abandonment • Needs constant reassurance
- 13. Insecure disorganized child • Added by American psychologists, Mary Main and Judith Solomon • Child may appear dazed, confused and fearful • Babies must show a strong pattern of avoidance and resistance or display certain specified behavior • Low self worth • Fear of rejections but difficulty with intimacy
- 14. EVALUATING STRANGE SITUATIONS • Measurement of attachment can be culturally biased • Behaviour in laboratory setting is different from how they behave in natural environment • Genetic characteristics and temperament play more important in a child’s social development • Another study states that disorganized attachment style developed in infancy only when they had the short version of serotonin transporter gene. • Culture value system can also influence nature of attachment.
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