chapter 14 attachment and social relationships
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Chapter 14 Attachment and Social Relationships. Attachment. The case of “Baby Jessica” Children are resilient Negative early experiences rarely ruin them for life Close relationships provide Learning experiences Social support (social convoy). Attachment Theory. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Chapter 14
Attachment and Social Relationships
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Attachment
• The case of “Baby Jessica”
– Children are resilient
– Negative early experiences rarely ruin them for life
• Close relationships provide
– Learning experiences
– Social support (social convoy)
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Attachment Theory
• Bowlby: A strong affectional tie that binds a person to an intimate companion
• Helps regulate distress by proximity seeking
– By about 6-7 months
• Ainsworth: special, irreplaceable people
– Desire to maintain proximity
– Derive a sense of security
• Bowlby: normal environment important
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Ethology
• Konrad Lorenz: Imprinting
– Critical period
– Irreversible
• Humans: Attachment
– Sensitive period
– Predisposed
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Figure 14.2
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Childhood Peers
• Important for social development
• Piaget: equal power among peers
– Requires cooperation, negotiation skills
• Sullivan: Peers important after age 6
– Changing interpersonal needs
• Harris: Parental influence is overrated
– Peers more important for development
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Emotions in Infancy
• Timing of emotions biologically programmed
– Tied to cognitive maturation
– Evolved to ensure that caregivers respond
• Social referencing by 10-12 months
– monitor reactions in others to help define situation, regulate behavior and emotions
– Modeling, imitation, reinforcement
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Figure 14.1
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Caregiver’s Attachment to Infant
• Early contact not crucial nor sufficient
• Neonatal reflexes endearing: e.g., smiling
• Cooing and babbling: early conversations
• Synchronized routines
– Peek-A-Boo
– Sensitive responding a must
– Over-stimulation/under-stimulation
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Infant’s Attachment to Caregiver
• Social responsiveness
– At birth: undiscriminating
– 2-6 mo: preferences develop
• Proximity seeking
– 6 mo to 3 yr
– Attachment figures
– Mental representation abilities needed
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Attachment-Related Fears
• Separation anxiety: 6-8 mo
– Peaks around 14-18 mo
– Gradually wanes
• Stranger anxiety: 8-10 mo
– Declines during 2nd yr
• Ainsworth: secure base for exploration
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Quality of Attachment
• Caregiver provides “contact comfort”
• Ainsworth: Strange Situation Test
– Secure attachment: most
– Insecure attachment categories
• Inconsistent care > resistant
• Insensitive stimulation > avoidant
–Rejection, impatient, resentful
–Intrusive
• Abusive > disorganized/disoriented
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Infant Characteristics
• Must acquire person permanence
• Temperament a factor
• Reaction to parenting style
– *Goodness of fit
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Context of Attachment
• Culture
– Individualistic: encourage independence
• e.g., Japan
• resistant
– Collectivist: encourage group conformity
• e.g., Western
• avoidant
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Effects of Social Deprivation
• Infants grieve when separated from caregiver
– Recover when reunited or upon forming new attachments
• A series of separations more harmful
• Romanian orphans
– Insecure, anxious
– Difficulty coping with stress
• Need sustained interaction with responsive caregivers – one or a few
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Later Outcomes
• Securely attached child
– Cognitively and socially competent
– Expect positive reactions
• Insecurely attached child
– Withdrawn, dependent, fearful
– Less competent
• Patterns last through adolescence
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Conclusions
• Attachment to fathers, grandparents, etc.
– Can compensate for poor attachment
• Secure attachments may change
– Stressful events: divorce, illness
• Insecure attachments may change
– Lifestyle improvements
• Later relationships influenced by nature of early attachment
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Peer Relations
• 18 mo: first peers
– Turn taking
– Reciprocal play
• Age 2-12: increasing time spent
– Same sex peers
– Similar age and play preferences
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Play
• Age 1-2: Pretend play
• Age 2-5: Social play
• Age 5-6: Rule-based games
• By age 11-2: Rule flexibility
• Play is beneficial
– Cognitive development
– Social skills
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Peer Acceptance
• Sociometric techniques
– Most popular kids
• Attractive, intelligent
• Socially competent
– Rejected kids
• Highly aggressive
• Socially isolated, overly sensitive, submissive
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Adolescents
• Parents still important
• Boy-girl friendships and dates
– Dating: Dunphy’s phases
• Initiation; Status; Affection; Bonding
• Friendships: More intimacy
• Friends similar psychologically
• Cliques and crowds
• Increased conformity
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
Figure 14.6
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14
The Adult
• Social networks shrink
• Closer to family
• Romantic attachments
• Adult friendships valued
• Important to have one confidant
Life-Span Human Development, Fifth Edition, Carol K. Sigelman and Elizabeth A. RiderChapter 14