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Understanding the Formation of Infant Attachment

Explore the development of strong emotional bonds between infants and primary caregivers, including behaviors indicating attachment, stages of attachment development, and factors influencing attachment figures.

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Understanding the Formation of Infant Attachment

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  1. Attachment “The formation of a strong, reciprocal emotional bond between an infant and a primary caregiver” www.psychlotron.org.uk

  2. Attachment • Behaviours that indicate attachment (Maccoby, 1980): • Proximity seeking (especially when stressed) • Separation distress & pleasure when reunited • General orientation towards specific individual www.psychlotron.org.uk

  3. Development of Attachments • When do attachments form? • How do they vary over time? • Who does the child attach to? • What influences choice of attachment figure? www.psychlotron.org.uk

  4. Development of Attachments • Shaffer & Emerson (1964) • Longitudinal study in natural environment • Observations & diary records • Measured attachment via (1) separation distress; (2) stranger anxiety www.psychlotron.org.uk

  5. Development of Attachments • When? • First attachment usually formed by 8 months • Stranger anxiety usually 1 month later • Attachment strength peaks during first month www.psychlotron.org.uk

  6. Development of Attachment • Who? • 65% mother only • 30% mother & another (often father) • 3% father only • Responsiveness, play and social interaction matter most in attachment formation • Not necessarily person who fed, changed, washed or spent most time with child www.psychlotron.org.uk

  7. Stages of Development • 0-2 months – pre attachment • Preference for people over objects, but no discrimination between people • 3-7 months – indiscriminate attachment • Apparent preference for familiar people (e.g. smiling more at some people) • 7 months – discriminate attachment • True emotional attachment. Multiple attachments by about 9 months www.psychlotron.org.uk

  8. Comments & Criticisms • Infants may have stronger preferences than Shaffer and others allow for: • Infants show preference for mothers face within 24 hrs of birth (Bushnell et al, 1989) • Other evidence suggests recognition of mother’s voice & scent in neonates www.psychlotron.org.uk

  9. Comments & Criticisms • Attachment may correlate with development, not strictly age • Ugandan children show stranger anxiety earlier, also begin crawling earlier (Ainsworth, 1967) • Correlation between attachment and mobility makes evolutionary sense • However, most evidence suggests that Shaffer’s work is very robust www.psychlotron.org.uk

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