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Understanding Attachment Phases in Children

Attachment refers to the strong emotional bond between an infant and caregiver that develops over time through their interactions. John Bowlby's research found that the quality of attachment has implications for a child's sense of security and ability to form relationships. Attachment develops through phases as the child's cognitive and emotional abilities grow. Mary Ainsworth developed the Strange Situation experiment to measure attachment security, observing a child's behaviors in response to separations from and reunions with the caregiver. Four main variations of attachment were identified: secure, resistant, avoidant, and disoriented. Factors like caregiving quality and infant characteristics can influence the security of attachment.

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Norhidayu Rosman
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163 views18 pages

Understanding Attachment Phases in Children

Attachment refers to the strong emotional bond between an infant and caregiver that develops over time through their interactions. John Bowlby's research found that the quality of attachment has implications for a child's sense of security and ability to form relationships. Attachment develops through phases as the child's cognitive and emotional abilities grow. Mary Ainsworth developed the Strange Situation experiment to measure attachment security, observing a child's behaviors in response to separations from and reunions with the caregiver. Four main variations of attachment were identified: secure, resistant, avoidant, and disoriented. Factors like caregiving quality and infant characteristics can influence the security of attachment.

Uploaded by

Norhidayu Rosman
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ATTACHMENT

NORHIDAYU ROSMAN

DEFINITION
The strong, affectional tie we have with the special people in our lives that leads us to feel pleasure and happiness when we interact with them and to be comforted by their nearness during times of stress. (Berk, 2003)

John Bowlbys Research


Found that the quality of attachment to the caregiver has profound implications on the childs feelings of security and the capacity to form trusting relationships. The infants relationship with the parents begins as set of innate signals. Over time, the relationship will become more affectionate supported by emotional and cognitive development of a child.

PHASES OF ATTACHMENT

PHASE 1 (Birth to 6 weeks)


Stage of built-in signals. Build relationship through smiling, grasping, crying and gazing at the caregivers. Response from the caregivers will bring about the feeling of security for the infants. Infants have recognised their own mothers smell and voice. BUT, not yet attached to her as they do not mind being left with any unfamiliar adult.

PHASE II (6 Weeks to 6-8 months)


Respond differently to a familiar caregiver than to a stranger. Learn that their own actions affect the behaviour of those around them. Begin to develop trust. Still they do not protest when being separated from the caregiver.

PHASE III (6-8 months to 18 months 2 years) The attachment to the familiar caregiver is evident. Display separation anxiety which depends on the situation. Protesting the parents departure and try hard to maintain their presence. Use the caregivers as a secure base to explore their surroundings.

PHASE IV (18 months to 2 years and on)


Rapid growth helps to understand some of the factors that influence parents coming and going and to predict their return. Result : separation protest declines. Start to negotiate with the caregiver.

EFFECT OF THE PHASES


According to John Bowlby :
Children will construct an affectional tie with the caregiver This relationship will serve as a secure base in the parents absence. Caregivers image becomes a model, or guide for all future relationships.

MEASURING THE SECURITY OF ATTACHMENT

WHY Do We Measure?
Quality of attachment differs from child to child. Even though children are attached to their caregivers, still have various reactions from the children regarding this relationship. Some of them appear secure and confident in the presence of caregiver while the others seem anxious and uncertain about the relationship.

HOW Do We Measure?
Through an experiment named as Strange Situation by Mary Ainsworth (Berk, 2003).
If the development of attachment going well, children should use their parents as a secure base from which to explore an unfamiliar situation or place. Feel more ease with their caregivers.

8 SHORT EPISODES OF STRANGE SITUATION

EPISODES

EVENTS

ATTACHMENT BEHAVIOURS OBSERVED

1) 2)

Experimenter introduces parent and baby to playroom and then leaves.


Parent is seated while baby plays with toys. Stranger enters, is seated and talks to the parents. Parent as a secure base. Reaction to unfamiliar adult. Separation anxiety. Reaction to reunion.

3)

4)
5) 6)

Parent leaves the room. Stranger responds to baby and offers comfort if upset. Parent returns, greets baby and offers comfort if necessary. Stranger leave room.

Parents leave room.


Stranger enters room and offers comfort. 7) 8) Parent returns, greet baby, offers comfort if necessary, and tries to regain baby interest in toys.

Separation anxiety.
Ability to soothed by stranger. Reaction to reunion.

FOUR VARIATIONS OF ATTACHMENT


Reflects the greatest insecurity. Have dazed facial expression/frozen postures.

Use parents as a secure base.

DISORIENTED

SECURE

RESISTANT
Keep crying and cling after picked up Cannot be comforted easily.

AVOIDANT
Seem unresponsive to parents

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ATTACHMENT SECURITY

Opportunity for Attachment

Parents experiences

Quality of care giving

Family circumstances

Infant characteristics

The End

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