A01: Types of Attachment
Developmental Psychologists are interested the quality of the attachment bond
The main reason to need a method of classifying attachment is to be able to measure the effects of attachment on later behaviour
Attachment type is measured using the strange situation.
The main reason to need a method of classifying attachment is to be able to measure the effects of attachment on later behaviour
Attachment type is measured using the strange situation.
Ainsworth & Bell (1970) A study measuring secure and insecure attachment.
Aim: To produce a method for assessing quality of attachment by placing a child in a mildly stressful situation.
Procedures: 100 middle class white Americans and their mothers were observed in the strange situation.Children were observed during 8 predetermined activities (the strange situation) all sessions expect the first lasted 3 minutes.
The 8 predetermined activities were:
1. Mum and child introduced into the room.
2. Mum and child left alone to investigate the toys.
3. A stranger enters and talks to Mum. Then gradually approaches the child.
4. Mum leaves, stranger tries to interact with the child.
5. Mum returns.
6. Child is left alone.
7. Stranger returns.
8. Mum returns and stranger leaves.
Observers record the behaviour of 4 characteristics:
Separation anxiety
Stranger anxiety
Reunion behaviour
The child's willingness to explore
Conclusions: There are significant individual differences between infants and these can be illustrated by 3 categories (TYPE A, B & C)
The majority of North American children are securely attached.
There is an association between mothers' behaviour and the childs' attachment type. This suggests that Mum's behaviour may impact attachment type of their child.
Procedures: 100 middle class white Americans and their mothers were observed in the strange situation.Children were observed during 8 predetermined activities (the strange situation) all sessions expect the first lasted 3 minutes.
The 8 predetermined activities were:
1. Mum and child introduced into the room.
2. Mum and child left alone to investigate the toys.
3. A stranger enters and talks to Mum. Then gradually approaches the child.
4. Mum leaves, stranger tries to interact with the child.
5. Mum returns.
6. Child is left alone.
7. Stranger returns.
8. Mum returns and stranger leaves.
Observers record the behaviour of 4 characteristics:
Separation anxiety
Stranger anxiety
Reunion behaviour
The child's willingness to explore
Conclusions: There are significant individual differences between infants and these can be illustrated by 3 categories (TYPE A, B & C)
The majority of North American children are securely attached.
There is an association between mothers' behaviour and the childs' attachment type. This suggests that Mum's behaviour may impact attachment type of their child.
The caregiver sensitivity hypothesis
Ainsworth & Bell (1970) Secure attachments are the result of mothers being sensitive to their children’s needs.
Isabella (1989) found that mothers and infants that were responsive to each other (1mth) were more likely to have a secure relationship @ 12mths.
A02: Evaluation of research into types of attachment
General criticism to the Strange situation:
Lack of ecological validity: the findings of Ainsworth & Bell cannot be generalised outside of the strange situation as the environment is not typical of real life.
Low population validity: the sample of Ainsworth & Bell are restricted to middle class white Americans children and their mothers. this is a weakness as the findings cannot be generalised to other groups of people in society.
Fails to classify some children: researcher have further identified a 4th attachment type. 'TYPE D' children are disorganised and often show inconsistent behaviour, confusion and indecision in the strange situation. these children do not fit into Ainsworth & Bell's proposed 3 types.
Low population validity: the sample of Ainsworth & Bell are restricted to middle class white Americans children and their mothers. this is a weakness as the findings cannot be generalised to other groups of people in society.
Fails to classify some children: researcher have further identified a 4th attachment type. 'TYPE D' children are disorganised and often show inconsistent behaviour, confusion and indecision in the strange situation. these children do not fit into Ainsworth & Bell's proposed 3 types.
One strength of research into types of attachment is that the findings are reliable. Wartner et al (1994) concluded that 78% of German children were classified as the same type at 1 years and 6 years old. This demonstrates that attachment type is consistent over time.
Ensure that you can discuss at least 3 evaluation points
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One weakness of the strange situation is that the classification system is invalid.
Lamb (1977) found that children behave differently depending on the adult they they are with. This suggest that the strange situation is measuring a particular attachment rather than a general attachment type. Van Izjendoorn et al (1992) suggested that the best predictor of development would be a average of all attachments that the child experiences. This suggests that the strange situation is a valid measure but it must include more than one attachment. |
The Temperament hypothesis
Children are born with the tendency to be more friendly. It is suggested that some children may be innately more vulnerable to stress.
Belsky & Rovine (1987) found that newborn babies who show signs of behaviour instability (tremors/shaking) are less likely to become securely attached to their mother
than children who did not shake.
This is an alternative explanation to attachment type rather than the caregiver sensitivity hypothesis and it suggests that attachment type is caused my children's personality and temperament.