Revision - Formation of Attachment

Explain what is meant by ‘interactional synchrony’ (2 marks)

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Answer explanation

Interactional synchrony refers to the coordinated timing and rhythm in communication between individuals, often seen in the way they mimic each other's gestures, facial expressions, and vocal patterns, fostering connection and understanding.

Outline research into caregiver-infant interactions

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Answer explanation

Research into caregiver-infant interactions includes studies on attachment styles, such as Ainsworth's Strange Situation, which assesses secure and insecure attachments, and the role of responsiveness in developing emotional bonds.

Outline the role of the father in attachment

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Answer explanation

Fathers contribute to attachment by providing emotional support, engaging in play, and fostering independence. Their involvement promotes secure attachment, influencing social and emotional development in children.

Outline stages of development as identified by Schaffer (4 marks)

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Answer explanation

Schaffer identified four stages of development: 1) Asocial stage (0-6 weeks), 2) Indiscriminate attachment (6 weeks-7 months), 3) Discriminate attachment (7-9 months), and 4) Multiple attachments (10+ months).

Outline one criticism of Schaffer’s stages of attachment (4 marks)

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Answer explanation

One criticism of Schaffer’s stages of attachment is that it oversimplifies the attachment process, as it may not account for cultural differences in attachment styles, which can vary significantly across different societies.

Explain what is meant by ‘multiple attachments’ (3 marks)

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Answer explanation

‘Multiple attachments’ refers to the concept in attachment theory where a child forms emotional bonds with more than one caregiver, indicating that relationships can be diverse and significant for emotional development.

Describe and evaluate Schaffer’s stages of attachment

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Answer explanation

Schaffer identified four stages of attachment: asocial, indiscriminate, specific, and multiple. Each stage reflects increasing social engagement and attachment depth, highlighting the importance of caregiver interactions in emotional development.

Outline Lorenz’s animal studies of attachment. In your answer refer to what he did and what he found (4 marks)

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Answer explanation

Lorenz conducted studies on goslings, showing they imprint on the first moving object they see. He found that this attachment is critical for survival, as the goslings followed him, demonstrating the concept of innate attachment behavior.

Describe one study by Harlow related to attachment (4 marks)

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Harlow's study with rhesus monkeys demonstrated attachment through the 'wire mother' experiment, where infants preferred a soft, cloth-covered surrogate over a wire mother providing food, highlighting the importance of comfort in attachment.

Briefly evaluate Harlow’s animal studies (4 marks)

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Answer explanation

Harlow's studies with rhesus monkeys demonstrated the importance of comfort and emotional security in attachment, challenging behaviorist views. However, ethical concerns arise from animal suffering, limiting generalizability to humans.