Attachment - up to Cultural Variations

Emma, a 3-month-old baby, is lying in her crib when her mother leans over and smiles at her. Emma notices her mother’s face and after a brief pause, she smiles back. Her mother then lets out a soft giggle, and Emma coos in response. What caregiver-infant interaction is being shown here?

• Reciprocity

• Interactional Synchrony

Six-week-old Lucas is sitting in his father’s lap while his father sings a soft lullaby. As his father sways gently, Lucas begins to move his arms rhythmically in sync with the song. His father notices and exaggerates his movements slightly, and Lucas mirrors him even more precisely. What caregiver-infant interaction is being shown here?

• Reciprocity

• Interactional Synchrony

During playtime, Ava, a 4-month-old baby, locks eyes with her father, watching him closely as he moves around the room. Whenever he turns towards her, she makes small vocal noises and kicks her legs. He notices and starts talking to her in response. She smiles back and giggles. What caregiver-infant interaction is being shown here?

• Reciprocity

• Interactional Synchrony

• Hardy (1999) found that fathers are less able than mothers to detect low levels of infant distress. This supports the idea that the role of the father is...

• A playmate

• A secondary attachment figure

• A primary attachment figure

• Someone who provides emotional support

Lily is lying in her crib, gazing around the room. She does not react differently when her mother or father speaks to her compared to when a mobile toy above her crib moves. However, whenever a face moves close to hers—whether it’s her mother, father, or even a stranger—she focuses intently on their eyes and face for a few moments before looking away. Which stage of attachment is Lily in?

• A-social Stage

• Indiscriminate Stage

• Secure attachment

• Insecure-resistant attachment

Answer explanation

Remember that stages of attachment is by Schaffer and includes: asocial, indiscriminate, specific and multiple. Make sure you know the difference between this and Ainsworth's study.

Theo is happily playing with his toys while his mother sits next to him. A family friend enters the room and greets Theo, reaching out to pick him up. Immediately, Theo stops playing, looks at his mother, and begins to fuss and reach for her. As the friend holds him, Theo starts to cry and attempts to wriggle out of their arms. Once his mother takes him back, he relaxes and nestles into her shoulder. Which stage of attachment is Lily in?

• Specific stage

• Multiple Attachment Stage

• Secure attachment

• Insecure-resistant attachment

Answer explanation

Remember that stages of attachment is by Schaffer and includes: asocial, indiscriminate, specific and multiple. Make sure you know the difference between this and Ainsworth's study.

Jamie, a six-month-old baby, cries and reaches for his mother when she leaves the room. His mother quickly returns and picks him up, calming him down with a soothing voice and gentle rocking. Jamie’s ​ (a)   , such as his big eyes and small nose, make his mother instinctively respond to his needs. His cries and reaching out are examples of ​ (b)   , which trigger his mother’s caregiving response.

• social releasers
• critical period
• adaptive

According to Bowlby, Jamie’s attachment to his mother is ​ ​ (a)   , meaning it helps ensure his survival by keeping him close to a protective caregiver. If Jamie does not form a strong attachment during the ​ (b)   , which lasts until about two years old, he may struggle to develop secure relationships later in life.

• critical period
• adaptive
• learnt
• sensitive period

Leo, a 14-month-old, is sitting on the floor stacking blocks while his father watches from across the room. He frequently glances over, pausing briefly before continuing his activity. Which behaviour is Leo showing?

• Separation Anxiety

• Strange Anxiety

• Secure Base

• Reunion Behaviour

Leo is playing with blocks on the floor, an unfamiliar adult enters and kneels nearby, picking up one of the blocks and holding it out to him. Leo stiffens, grips the remaining blocks tightly, and shifts his gaze to his father before cautiously reaching for the offered piece. Which behaviour is Leo showing?

• Separation Anxiety

• Strange Anxiety

• Secure Base

• Reunion Behaviour