2. EARLY RELATIONSHIPS SCHAFFER
(1996)
• ‘Defined attachment as a long enduring emotional meaningful tie to
a particular individual’ The bond is characterized by a desire for
closeness to individuals such as the primary caregiver. This
attachment source will often offer comfort, security and other
primary needs.
3. ATTACHMENT: A DEFINITION
•
“A close and consistent emotional bond with
mother”(Bowlby 1940s)“An affectional tie that
one person or animal forms between himself
and another specific one – a tie that binds
them together in space and endures over
time”(Ainsworth & Bell, 1970)
4. SCHAFFER & EMERSON
(1964) 60 GLASGOW
INFANTS
•
Carried out observations and interviews with
parents at regular intervals during the first 18
months after birth
• They found that a particular pattern of
attachment occurred in a significant amount
of participants.
5. STAGES OF ATTACHMENT
(SCHAFFER & EMERSON
1964)
• Stage/ Age Type of Attachment
• Asocial(0-6 weeks)
• Babies respond in a similar way to people and
objects, although they prefer to look at human-like
stimuli.
• Diffuse(6 weeks to 6 months)
• Babies show no particular preference for a
specific individual and will be comforted by
anyone.
6. • Single strong attachment(7 to 12 months)
• Babies show a strong preference for a single
individual and will show fear of strangers.
• Multiple attachments(12 months onwards)
• Babies will show attachment towards several
figures. By 18 months some infants have as
many as five attachment figures.
7. THE FUNCTIONS OF
ATTACHMENT
•
Initially it was thought infants attach to the
person who provide food. However babies
do not always attach to the person who feeds
them but to those who comfort (Harlow 1959)
8. • Evolutionary psychologists have suggests that
attachment is crucial for survival.
• Bowlby (1969) proposed attachment provides and
internal working model of relationships.
Attachment therefore provides a mental view of
what relationships are and gives expectations in
later life.
10. AINSWORTH (1978) THE
STRANGE SITUATION
• This study has been replicated many times and is now a standard
measure for measuring type and quality of attachment. The Aim was
to study the reactions of children to Brief separations from the
mother.
• A controlled observation infants were exposed to a sequence of 3
minute episodes starting the with mother and child and then
strangers were introduced.
• The behaviours were recorded.
11. • Ainsworth classified infants as:
• Securely attached
• Anxious avoidant
• Anxious resistant
• 65% fell into the secure category
• 15-20% were in the other 2 catagories
• What conclusions can be made?
• What ethical issues are there?
