Janet Belsky’sExperiencing the Lifespan,

2e

Chapter 4:Infancy: Socioemotional

Development

Meredyth Fellows, West Chester University of PA

Attachment: The Basic Life Bond

History Behaviorists (Watson, Skinner)

minimized human attachment need Believed “maternal reinforcing

stimulus” created infant’s need to be close to caregiver

John Watson, strict ____________ Video

Attachment: History Ethologists: early

evolutionary psychologists _____________(1935):

research with goslings

“biologically programmed attachment response”

Attachment: History Harry Harlow (1959)

Experiment with monkeys Refuted behaviorists ideas Contact comfort

important to bonding Video 1 Video 2

John Bowlby (’69, ’73, ’80) Primary attachment figure

_________________________________________

Attachment Response

Bowlby (’69, ’73) (Video) Critical period for attachment response Proximity-seeking behavior—activated

by threats to survival at any age Threats may be activated by our internal

state Threats may be evoked by external world

dangers Attachment Theory-Video

Attachment Milestones Pre-attachment Stage

—birth to 3 mos. Reflex dominated time 2 months, social smile

(example of automatic reflex, not in response to attachment figure)

Social smile evokes care and love

Attachment Milestones, cont’d

Attachment in the making—4 to 7 mos. Slight preference for

caregivers, but still respond to everyone

Clear-cut (focused) attachment—7 to 8 mos. Stranger-anxiety and

separation anxiety appear Social-referencing

The Strange Situation: Mary Ainsworth Video

Measures individual variations in attachment response during “clear-cut” stage

Planned separations and reunions of child and primary caregiver

Ainsworth’s Attachment Styles

___________ Attached Child uses primary

caregiver as a secure base from which to explore

Child reacts with joy upon caregiver’s return

Video

Ainsworth’s Attachment Styles

Insecurely Attached Avoidant

Appear detached; indifferent upon mother’s return

______________________ Clingy, fearful, fear of exploration Severe distress when mother leaves;

contradictory emotions upon return; often inconsolable

__________________________ Bizarre behaviors; may freeze, look frightened,

may flee Often result of abuse

Attachment: The Caregiver Insecurely

attached babies may have parents who are: Overly intrusive Misread signals Depressed

Slower to react to baby’s cues

Attachment and Child’s Temperament

Temperament—________________________________________________________________________________________________ Easy Slow to Warm-up Difficult

Baby’s temperament and quality of caregiving will determine attachment style

Attachment: Summary

Early life is sensitive period for attachment (not critical period)

Attachment may change over time Forces influencing attachment styles:

Nurture provided by primary caregiver

Infant’s temperament Other environmental forces

Settings for DevelopmentPoverty in the United States

___________________________ (Federal government definition) An income levels that allows a household

to pay for shelter, food, and clothing, with a small amount left over.

___________(Child Advocates’ term) The real minimum income it takes for a

family to decently make ends meet in the U.S.

Poverty in the U.S.: Statistics

Federal government: 1 out of every 5 children

Low income criterion, 43% Poverty most common during

child’s first 5 years of life Single motherhood Inadequate wages

Poverty and Development Strong negative impact on academic

performance Less access to quality preschools,

enriching toys, trips to museums Health-compromising conditions at birth

(e.g. low birth weight) Stressed, low-income mothers may have

less patience with irritable infants/children

Crowded living and unsafe environment

Toddlerhood: Erik Erikson’sAge of Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt

Toddlerhood: 1-2 years Task of toddlerhood: to be

autonomous selves Understanding of “self” and

self-conscious emotions appear

May feel proud or ashamed Need to explore

Erikson’s negative outcome: _________________

Do Shy and Exuberant Children Differ Dramatically in Self-Control?

Research demonstrates: Toddlers at the high end

of the fearless, joyous, and angry continuum show less “___________” at age 4

These toddlers’ exuberant impulses are difficult to dampen

Does power assertion work when disciplining?

Better to redirect behavior and provide positive reinforcement

Guidelines for Socialization according to Temperament

Shy Do not overprotect Gently expose to new situations

_______________ Develop strong attachment bond Resist power assertion