Types of attachment and the strange situation DEVELOPMENTAL

Types of attachment and the “strange situation” DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Starter Complete the matching task on the two theories of attachment

Classical Conditioning Infants attach to one primary figure. This attachment will be qualitatively different to any other attachment the child will make. Operant Conditioning By having an attachment to someone, an infant is provided with an internal working model of relationships. The attachment bond forms a template for other relationships the child has in their future Monotropy We are born with the ability to attach to someone through social releasers, such as crying. These ensure caregiving behaviour occurs so that attachment can take place Innate Programming The process of negative reinforcement where the providing of food takes away an infant’s hunger therefore the person who supplies the food becomes a source of reinforcement themselves Critical Period The continuity hypothesis The process by which infants learn to associate their mother with food and therefore pleasure so seek to be with them If an attachment is not made before 2 ½ years old then the child will never form an attachment with anyone

Learning Objectives All of you will be able to: - Describe the “strange situation” as a method of measuring attachment types - Describe the behaviour of children who display each of the three attachment types - Apply lesson content to answer an exam question Some of you will be able to: - Identify the type of attachment shown in a novel situation - Describe what a child might be thinking in each attachment type

How could we measure whether an infant is attached to their parent/carer?

Strange situation Video clip http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=s 608077 Nt. NI Until 3. 22 Note down the stages the infant/mother go through (8) What infant behaviours are they measuring?

What were the 8 stages? 1. Mother and infant are introduced to experimental room 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. What behaviours are they measuring? ? ?

Your Task In your booklets, complete the storyboard to show the eight stages of the “strange situation”

Types of attachment Lisa showed “secure” attachment behaviour by… How else might children behave if they aren’t securely attached?

Types of attachment Secure: - Upset/anxious when mother leaves the room - Greets mother positively on return Insecure-avoidant: - Unconcerned when mother leaves the room - Show little interest in mother when she returns Insecure-resistant: - Intense distress when mother leaves the room - Ambivalent behaviour when she returns – clingy but may reject/resist her

Your Tasks 1. Complete the section in your booklet to describe how an infant will behave depending on their attachment type 2. Worksheet - For each example given, decide which type of attachment behaviour they are displaying EXTENSION 1. Come up with your own examples to demonstrate different attachment typeshave others guess what type they are 2. Worksheet - What are the children thinking in each attachment type?

Exam Q A researcher used the Strange Situation to investigate the attachment types of two infants. Megan was classified as insecure-avoidant. Rosie was classified as insecure-resistant. Explain how Megan’s behaviour would differ from Rosie’s behaviour in the Strange Situation (4 marks)

Mark scheme Separation behaviour – insecure avoidant (Megan) seem unconcerned when mother leaves, whereas insecure resistant (Rosie) show intense distress. Reunion behaviour – insecure avoidant show little reaction when the mother comes back, whereas insecure resistant may cling to their mother, but show ambivalent behaviour towards her.