attachment sondra parmer jessica stroud mary ann taylor sims foun 7410 fall 2004

Attachment Sondra Parmer Jessica Stroud Mary Ann Taylor Sims FOUN 7410 Fall 2004

What is Ethology? Crain states that it is the study of animal and human behavior within an evolutionary context.Crain states that it is the study of animal and human behavior within an evolutionary context.

Charles Darwin (1809-1882) Born into a very distinguished English familyBorn into a very distinguished English family No great aspects for his future as a childNo great aspects for his future as a child Studied medicineStudied medicine Changed to study for the Anglican clergy at CambridgeChanged to study for the Anglican clergy at Cambridge Recommended for the H.M.S. Beagle voyageRecommended for the H.M.S. Beagle voyage Studied fossils to lead to his theory of evolutionStudied fossils to lead to his theory of evolution Published theory 20 years after it was formulatedPublished theory 20 years after it was formulated 1858 he and Wallace presented their theory together1858 he and Wallace presented their theory together

Darwins Theory of Natural Selection Among the members of a species, there is endless variation; and among the various members, only a fraction of those who are born survive to reproduce. Over time nature selects those who can best adapt to their surroundings - hence the term natural selection. Among the members of a species, there is endless variation; and among the various members, only a fraction of those who are born survive to reproduce. Over time nature selects those who can best adapt to their surroundings - hence the term natural selection.

Class Discussion How does ones social behavior aid in Darwins theory of natural selection or evolution? What part does Reasoning play in evolution? How does the embryological findings fit in with the theory of evolution?

Konrad Lorenz (1903-1989) Niko Tinbergen (1907-1988)

Methodological Approach Understanding behavior only through a natural setting. Step one: get to know the species - naturalistic observation Only after step one is completed can experiments begin to test their ideas to formulate laws

Instinctive Behavior Instinct is something that is released by a specific external stimulusInstinct is something that is released by a specific external stimulus ExamplesExamples Species-specificSpecies-specific Fixed action patternsFixed action patterns Different from other unlearned behaviorsDifferent from other unlearned behaviors

Imprinting What is imprinting? When and how does it occur? Fly Away Home clip

Imprinting Determines the following response in the youngDetermines the following response in the young And social behavior in youngAnd social behavior in young Can affect later sexual preferencesCan affect later sexual preferences Begins with inner maturational promptingBegins with inner maturational prompting Ends with the onset of fear responseEnds with the onset of fear response

Adaptive Value of Imprinting Has evolved as a strong attachment mechanism for groups of animals to escape the pressure of predatorsHas evolved as a strong attachment mechanism for groups of animals to escape the pressure of predators Examples?Examples? Why is it necessary?Why is it necessary?

John Bowlby (1907-1990) Evolutionary perspective: children must have attachment behaviors in order to stay close to adults for protection and survival children must have attachment behaviors in order to stay close to adults for protection and survival Attachment Behaviors: - Babys Cry- Grasping - Babys Smile- Sucking - Babbling- Following

Bowlbys Phases of Attachment

Phase 1 (birth to 3 months): Indiscriminate Responsiveness to Humans Respond equally to all people Preference for faces Social smiles (approx. 6 weeks old) Smile acts as a releaser for caregiver to promote love and careSmile acts as a releaser for caregiver to promote love and care Crying Promotes proximately between baby and caregiverPromotes proximately between baby and caregiver Babys holding on Grasp reflexGrasp reflex Moro reflexMoro reflex Rooting and sucking reflexes

Phase 2 (3 to 6 months): Focusing on Familiar People Social responses become focused on familiar people Restrict smiles Selective babbling Comfort provided by preferred individual(s) Baby is beginning to form attachments to one to three key figures One person tends to emerge as primary attachment figure

Phase 3 (6 months to 3 years): Intense Attachment and Active Proximity-Seeking Attachment becomes exclusive to one personAttachment becomes exclusive to one person Fear of strangersFear of strangers Actively follow desire to maintain contact with parentActively follow desire to maintain contact with parent Use parent as a secure base from which to exploreUse parent as a secure base from which to explore Mother-child interaction defines relationshipMother-child interaction defines relationship

Phase 4 (3 years to the end of childhood): Partnership Behavior Child more likely to consider parents plans and goals more of a partner in relationshipChild more likely to consider parents plans and goals more of a partner in relationship Little is understood about this phaseLittle is understood about this phase Adolescents break free from attachments; adults are independent; seniors become increasingly dependentAdolescents break free from attachments; adults are independent; seniors become increasingly dependent Fear of being alone biological reasonsFear of being alone biological reasons

Is attachment the same as imprinting? Imprinting in AnimalsImprinting in Animals Young animals follow moving objects Begin following many moving objects Narrow to following one moving object Fear response limits ability to form new attachments Attachment in HumansAttachment in Humans Infancy: social responses directed at many Attempt to stay physically close to others 6 months: begin to narrow social responses Become afraid of strangers Will follow principal attachment figure

Effects of Institutional Care Institutional DeprivationInstitutional Deprivation Children lacking sufficient care in the first year of life Does failure to imprint occur? Stories from Romania Separation StagesSeparation Stages Protest Despair Detachment

Mary D. S. Ainsworth (1903-1999) 40-year collaboration with Bowlby40-year collaboration with Bowlby Infancy in UgandaInfancy in Uganda Naturalistic observation Observed different patterns of attachment Baltimore study 23 mother-child dyadsBaltimore study 23 mother-child dyads 1 st year home observations 2 nd year lab observations

The Strange Situation Research methodologyResearch methodology Includes 2 brief separations (3 minutes each) between mother and child First separation friendly stranger Second separation left alone Three patterns observedThree patterns observed

Securely Attached Infants Use mother as base from which to exploreUse mother as base from which to explore Mother leaves and child becomes upsetMother leaves and child becomes upset Mother returns and child actively greets and remains close for a few minutesMother returns and child actively greets and remains close for a few minutes Once reassured, child begins to explore againOnce reassured, child begins to explore again Findings correlate to sensitive behavior from mother at home visits during babys first yearFindings correlate to sensitive behavior from mother at home visits during babys first year 65% - 70% of 1-year-olds in US who have participated in the strange situation65% - 70% of 1-year-olds in US who have participated in the strange situation

Insecure-Avoidant Infants Appear independent during the Strange SituationAppear independent during the Strange Situation Explore, but do not use mother as secure base ignore herExplore, but do not use mother as secure base ignore her Do not become upset when mother leaves the roomDo not become upset when mother leaves the room Do not seek physical closeness to mother when she returnsDo not seek physical closeness to mother when she returns Attempt to avoid mother if picked up upon mothers returnAttempt to avoid mother if picked up upon mothers return Findings correlate to insensitive behavior from mother at home visits during babys first yearFindings correlate to insensitive behavior from mother at home visits during babys first year 20% of 1-year-olds in US who have participated in the strange situation20% of 1-year-olds in US who have participated in the strange situation

Insecure-Ambivalent Infants Clingy infants who explore very little Extremely upset when mother leaves the room Noticeably ambivalent toward mother upon her return Findings correlate to inconsistent behavior from mother at home visits during babys first yearFindings correlate to inconsistent behavior from mother at home visits during babys first year 10% - 15% of 1-year-olds in US who have participated in the strange situation10% - 15% of 1-year-olds in US who have participated in the strange situation

Attachment Video

Attachment Follow-up studies have supported the existence of these 3 behavior patternsFollow-up studies have supported the existence of these 3 behavior patterns Children classified as securely attached exhibit the healthiest pattern of development (e.g., persistence, self- reliance, friendliness, leadership)Children classified as securely attached exhibit the healthiest pattern of development (e.g., persistence, self- reliance, friendliness, leadership) Correlation of maternal sensitivity to child outcome supports ethologist perspectiveCorrelation of maternal sensitivity to child outcome supports ethologist perspective

Attachment Evaluation of Adults Main developed Adult Attachment Interview to measure attachment and parenting behaviorsMain developed Adult Attachment Interview to measure attachment and parenting behaviors Secure/autonomous speakers speak openly and freely about childhood relationships, tend to have securely attached children Dismissing of attachment speakers own attachment experiences are unimportant, tend to have insecure- avoidant children Preoccupied speakers continue to struggle to win parents love, tend to have insecure-ambivalent children Correlations found between inventories with adults prenatally and when baby is 1 year oldCorrelations found between inventories with adults prenatally and when baby is 1 year old

Can you spoil the child by giving him too much attention? Bowlby and Ainsworth say NO!Bowlby and Ainsworth say NO! Babies have built-in biological signals used to evoke responses that meet their needs for survival. Ainsworths research shows that children are most well adapted when parents respond promptly and sensitively to the childs needs Cues must be taken from the child not parent-directed

Would Bowlby and Ainsworth like Baby Einstein?

What practical applications and changes have we seen as a result of research in attachment? Change in care in institutions where children are raisedChange in care in institutions where children are raised Rooming-in in hospitals following birth of childRooming-in in hospitals following birth of child Day careDay care Quality time in familiesQuality time in families

Infant-Mother Attachment Diessner and Tiegs Comparison of infant strange situation behavior with maternal home behaviorComparison of infant strange situation behavior with maternal home behavior The findings to this study raise the concerning issues of the direction of effects of attachmentThe findings to this study raise the concerning issues of the direction of effects of attachment To what extent is is attributable to the mothers behavior throughout the first year of life and to what extent is it attributable to built-in differences in potential and temperament?To what extent is is attributable to the mothers behavior throughout the first year of life and to what extent is it attributable to built-in differences in potential and temperament?

How are these issues associated or affected by infant-mother attachment? Contexts of Mother-Infant InteractionContexts of Mother-Infant Interaction Practical Implications for InterventionPractical Implications for Intervention Using the Mother as a Secure Base from which to ExploreUsing the Mother as a Secure Base from which to Explore Response to Separation from Attachment FigureResponse to Separation from Attachment Figure Other Attachment FigureOther Attachment Figure Consequences of AttachmentConsequences of Attachment

Margaret S. Mahler (1897-1985)

Autism vs. Symbiotic Psychosis Characteristics of Autism (Pervasive Developmental Disorder, DSM- IV)Characteristics of Autism (Pervasive Developmental Disorder, DSM- IV) Onset prior to age 3 Marked impairment in social interaction Marked impairment in communication Repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities Characteristics of Symbiotic PsychosisCharacteristics of Symbiotic Psychosis Occurs around age 3 or 4 Progress through symbiotic phase Ruptured sense oneness with mother Lack of comfort and support May regress to autistic state

Phases of Normal Development: Birth 3 Years Normal Autistic Phase: Birth 1 monthNormal Autistic Phase: Birth 1 month Normal Symbiotic Phase: 1 5 monthsNormal Symbiotic Phase: 1 5 months

Separation and Individuation Subphases Differentiation: 5 9 monthsDifferentiation: 5 9 months Practicing: 9 15 monthsPracticing: 9 15 months Early Practicing: 9 12 months Practicing: 12 15 months Rapprochement: 15 24 monthsRapprochement: 15 24 months Consolidation and Object Constancy: 24 36 monthsConsolidation and Object Constancy: 24 36 months

Practical Applications TherapyTherapy Did not experience normal symbiotic phase Do not need encouragement to separate but to building secure foundation of mutuality and trust

Criticisms of Mahlers Work Perceptual and cognitive capacities do exist in newbornsPerceptual and cognitive capacities do exist in newborns SternStern View of early development as pathological Bowlby (video clip)Bowlby (video clip) Development does not occur in a lock-step fashion Early fixation does not lead to adult psychopathology Empirical research

Happy Babies are the Desired Result!