Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Impact of attachment at developmental stages
Attachment theory studies
Attachment theory studies
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
The controversy in the relationship of infancies’ temperaments and maternal attachments are still debatable between temperament and attachment theorists down to our present day (De Wolff & Ijzendoorn, 1997). Temperament is termed as early projections of stable individual variations involving self regulation and reactivity that encompasses behaviors, emotions and attention (Boom, 1994). Attachment, on the other hand, is commonly known as having a bond that allows us to be comfortable with special people in our lives (Berk, 2006). According to Alexander Thomas and Stella Chess (1977), their research showed that the infant’s temperament is of intrinsic nature and how the process in developing of the child-adult interactions ultimately affects their attachment status (Coffman, Levitt, & Guacci-Franco, 1995). In addition, attachment theorists like Mary Ainsworth (1978) and John Bowlby (1969), however, suggested that maternal sensitivity and responsiveness from the caregiver mantles the infant’s temperament that is the determinant of attachment (Coffman et al., 1995). In this essay, considering the above mentioned, the essay will explore whether the antecedents on attachment are based on goodness of fit that consist of the infant’s in-born temperament and maternal perception caused by parenting style, or that it lies mainly from maternal sensitivity to the infant, and lastly, the association between infant’s temperament and maternal sensitivity and responsiveness.
Indications have shown that the infant’s temperament holds significance in affecting maternal perception which is influenced by maternal characteristic, thereby, leading to the outcome of attachment (Pauli-Pott, Mertesacker, Bade, Haverkock, Beckmann, 2003). Through the c...
... middle of paper ...
...future research can involve an equal number of mothers from different social background to compare. In search of the association between both infant temperament and maternal sensitivity of what was thought to be of independent factors, a closer relation can be observed between them through the above discussion.
In conclusion, the associations within infant’s temperament and maternal sensitivity holds the most significance in the development of the attachment in comparison with the considerations that maternal and infants’ characteristics are independent factors and the contribution in attachment that mainly comes from the mother. Therefore, instead of the endlessly debating between whether the antecedents of attachment are independent of each other, the focal point should be that of the acknowledgement between the correlation of infant temperament and attachment.
Relationships are the building block for personality and are significant in children’s ability to grow into substantial individuals who can thrive in an often harsh world. Constructing lasting and fulfilling relationships is an integral part to development as the interpersonal bonds forged are not only highly sought after but also set the ground work for all upcoming expressive interactions. Relationships and attachment go hand in hand as attachment is the strong and lasting linkage established between a child and his or her caregiver. Moreover, attachment significantly influences a large capacity of ones make up as it these first relationships that teaches morals, builds self-esteem, and develops a support system. The pioneers of Attachment Theory realized early on that human beings are not solely influenced by drives but that the earliest bonds formed by children with their caregivers greatly impact their ability to forge lasting relationships later in life. John Bowlby was first to introduce this theory to the masses in the 1950’s, and later Mary Ainsworth conducted further research to expand on Bowlby’s theory which proclaims that attachment is a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings” (Bowlby, 1969, p. 194). The attachment bond theory by both Bowlby and Ainsworth focuses on the significance of the relationship between babies and their caretakers which research has suggested is accountable for influencing impending interactions, firming or injuring our capabilities to concentrate, being aware of our emotional states, self-soothing capabilities, and the capacity to be resilient in the face of hardship. Additionally, this research has provided a framework for assisting in describing these att...
The Strange Situation, in which infants are exposed to eight different episodes involving the mother and/or a stranger, is widely used to test attachments, although there are many different views regarding its validity and reliability. In order for the Strange Situation to be considered reliable, a child tested at different times should produce the same reaction every time; this was supported by Main, Kapland and Cassidy’s 1985 study which found that 100% of infants who had been securely attached before 18 months were still securely attached at 6 years, and 75% of those who had been anxious-avoidant remained so. One interpretation of attachment type (based on the Strange Situation) is that it is a fixed characteristic and therefore cannot be changed, but if there is a change in family circumstances this is often not the case. Attachments to mothers and fathers have been proven to be independent – Main and Weston (1981) found that children reacted differently depending on which parent they were with. This shows that the attachment types shown by the Strange Situation are based on qualities of distinct relationships as opposed to a child’s characteristics.
Include: a. SJ, NT, SP, or NF temperament description, b. description of your 4 letter Role Variant, (ENFJ, Teacher, ISTP, Crafter, INTJ, Mastermind, etc). (1 – 2 pages).
Bowlby proposed that attachment behaviour between a mother and child happens when certain behavioural systems are actuated in the infant as a consequence of its interaction with its environment, primarily with the interaction of its mother. By encompassing earlier theories of ethology, development psychology and psychoanalysis (Bretherton, 1992), Bowlby developed his theory on ‘Attachment’. This essay looks at the development of ‘Attachment Theory’ since its introduction over four decades ago and how the research of Ainsworth and Main significantly supports Bowlby’s thesis. It also looks at Mahler’s theory of ‘Separation-Individuation’ and the importance of how positive attachment is necessary for the advancement of autonomy and identity. Finally, it will explore the shift in paradigms from cognitive psychology to neuropsychology and look at how attachment communication between primary caregiver and infant influences the imprinting of the orbitofrontal cortex.
The attachment theory, presented by Mary Ainsworth in 1969 and emerged by John Bowlby suggests that the human infant has a need for a relationship with an adult caregiver, and without a subsequent, development can be negatively impacted (Hammonds 2012). Ainsworth proposes that the type of relationship and “attachment” an infant has with the caregiver, can impact the social development of the infant. As stated by Hammonds (2012), attachment between a mother and a child can have a great impact on the child 's future mental
The results of the study claimed that the attachments developed over time and goes through four stages. From birth to six weeks it’s the Pre-attachment or Indiscriminate phase, the infants respond to all stimuli in the same ways and so does not have certain attachments or preferences about who they were with, towards the end of the stage the child begins to show a preference for social stimuli (e.g. smiling). Between six weeks to six months it’s the Discriminating phase, they become extremely sociable with anybody, cl...
An infant’s initial contact with the world and their exploration of life is directly through the parent/ primary caregiver. As the child grows, learns, and develops, a certain attachment relationship forms between them and the principle adult present in this process. Moreover, this attachment holds huge implications concerning the child’s future relationships and social successes. Children trust that their parental figure will be there; as a result, children whom form proper attachments internalize an image of their world as stable, safe, and secure. These children will grow independent while at the same time maintaining a connection with their caregivers. (Day, 2006). However, when a child f...
For example, Magai & Passman (1997) discovered a strong relationship between secure attachments and emotional well-being of middle aged adults, which extends to individuals later in life. Understanding the role of attachment and its psychosocial impact during later life is an important area that needs further research. In regards to TMT, close relationships offer security, protection, and give meaning to life (Mikulincer, Florian, & Hirschberger, 2003).
Childcare programs for six to twelve month infants would be structured differently from a behaviorist and an attachment theorist. Based on each theory and its ideas their programs would be shaped with the child’s best interest in mind but fitted to suit their beliefs and principles. Attachment theorists have a negative view on childcare programs. Their program would encourage that of main caregivers found at home and look to grow other attachments and relationships with others. Behaviorists have a neutral stance when it comes to placing children in childcare. Their program would develop reinforcement theories and practices for children so their behavior can become classically conditioned for future events that may rise. Each program would be designated differently and would vary on the hours spent in daycare, the peer-to-peer interactions, and the developmental skills the theorist would implement.
It has been proposed that infant attachment styles do not change after the first year of life, the following essay will argue against this prompt in that ones attachment style will change continuously throughout life. Attachment theory is based on the joint work of Bowlby and Ainsworth (Bretherton, 1992). In recent years the idea of ‘attachment’ has become and increasingly popular debate within developmental psychology (Bretherton, 1992). Attachment theory provides an explanation on how parent and child relationships are formed and the important role they play in child development. However majority of the research into attachment has focused on identifying the stability of attachment rather then identifying the possible insatiability of
Infant attachment is the first relationship that occurs between infants and their mothers or other primary caregivers (Craig & Dunn, 2010). The mother-infant attachment begins at birth and is considered by a group of...
The attachment style that a child endures with their mother initially begins before the child is even born. In the mother’s womb, the infant becomes aware of their mother and father’s voices, where they begin to develop a bond with them and feel nurtured and comforted by the things they hear their parents sing and speak to them. According to Bowlby, the development of attachment takes place in four different phases and are reinforced as they grow older from the Preattachment (birth to age 6 weeks), attachment-in-the-making (age 6 weeks to 8 months), clear cut attachment (between 8 months to 1 ½ years of age) and the reciprocal relationship (from 1 ½ or 2 and on). As the child grows older, then begin to understand their parent’s feelings and motives and are able to organize their efforts and reciprocate the same i...
Infant attachment is the first relationship a child experiences and is crucial to the child’s survival (BOOK). A mother’s response to her child will yield either a secure bond or insecurity with the infant. Parents who respond “more sensitively and responsively to the child’s distress” establish a secure bond faster than “parents of insecure children”. (Attachment and Emotion, page 475) The quality of the attachment has “profound implications for the child’s feelings of security and capacity to form trusting relationships” (Book). Simply stated, a positive early attachment will likely yield positive physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive development for the child. (BOOK)
Attachment theory is the idea that a child needs to form a close relationship with at least one primary caregiver. The theory proved that attachment is necessary to ensure successful social and emotional development in an infant. It is critical for this to occur in the child’s early infant years. However, failed to prove that this nurturing can only be given by a mother (Birns, 1999, p. 13). Many aspects of this theory grew out of psychoanalyst, John Bowlby’s research. There are several other factors that needed to be taken into account before the social worker reached a conclusion; such as issues surrounding poverty, social class and temperament. These factors, as well as an explanation of insecure attachment will be further explored in this paper.
Crugnola, C.R., Tambelli, R., Spinelli, M., Gazzotti, S., Caprin, C. & Albizzati, A. (2011). Attachment patterns and emotion regulation strategies in the second year. Infant Behaviour and Development, 34(1), 136-151. Doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2010.11.002