Britton attachment

attachment

An emotional bond between 2 people.
2 way process
Endures over time.

primary attachment figure

The person who has formed the closest bond with the child, usually but not always the mother.

learning theory

The name given to a group of explanations (classical and operant conditioning) which explain behaviour in terms of learning rather than inborn tendencies or higher order thinking.

innate

Characteristics that are inborn
A product of genetic factors
May be apparent at birth or later as a result of maturation

continuity hypothesis

The idea that emotionally secure infants go on to be emotionally secure, trusting, socially confident adults.

imprinting

An innate readiness to develop a strong bond with a mother figure
Takes place during a critical or sensitive period

monotropy

The idea that the one relationship that the infant has with his/her primary attachment figure is of special significance in emotional development.

sensitive period

A biologically determined period of time during which the child is particularly sensitive to a form of stimulation, resulting in a specific response of characteristic.

social releasers

A social behaviour or characteristic that elicits a caregiving reaction. Bowlby suggested that these were innate and adaptive, critical in process of forming attachments.
Crying, smiling, baby face.

temperment hypothesis

The belief that children with ‘easy’ temperament form secure attachments
Innately difficult children are more likely to form insecure attachments.

secure attachment

A strong and contented attachment of infant to caregiver. because
Caregiver responds sensitively to infant’s needs. Leads to
Healthy cognitive + emotional development

insecure attachment

forms because caregiver does not respond sensitively to infant’s needs.
Poor cognitive + emotional development

insecure-avoidant

Children tend to avoid social
interaction and intimacy with others

insecure-resistant

Ambivalent attachment
Children both seek and reject social interaction and intimacy

insecure disorganised

Lack of consistent patterns of social behaviour

separation protest/anxiety

The distress shown by an infant when separated from his/her primary attachment figure.

stranger anxiety

The distress shown by an infant when approached or picked up by someone unfamiliar