Bowlby, Harlow, Ainsworth Attachment Theory
Dec 31, 2015
Bowlby, Harlow, Ainsworth
Attachment Theory
Attachment Theory
There is a deep emotional tie, almost a physical connection with a loved one
This is vital throughout life John Bowlby, Harry Harlow, Mary Ainsworth
Powerful Contact Comfort Several Attachment
Survival Impulse MonkeysStyles Existed
Theories of Attachment
Psychoanalytical Theory Freudian Oral, Breast Feeding
Behavioral/Learning Theory Infants become attached to people who feed and
meet their needs The primary caregiver becomes the source of
reinforcement – the infant will do whatever necessary to get the caregiver’s attention (cry, smile, babble)
Harlow’s Monkey StudyHow important is feeding?
• Harlow researched this question in 1959• Critical Question: Would the monkeys become
attached to the wire “mother” who feeds them or the soft, cloth mother?
Monkey Study
Experimental Design
Results?
How does this apply to human babies?
We may shiver through Harlow's results, but still we make use of them.
Babies who are deprived of physical touch and emotional attachment were much more likely to suffer physical, social, emotional, and intellectual difficulties
Orphanages, Hospitals, Fathers, Daycares
Mary Ainsworth
Mary Ainsworth researched the ideas of attachment by placing human infants into novel situations.
Strange Situation: Ainsworth observed the reactions of babies when their parents left for a short time and then returned
Mary Ainsworth: Strange Situation
Infants with secure attachments (about 60 percent of the participants) confidently explore the novel environment
while the parents are presentdistressed when parent leavesseek contact with parent upon returning.
Mary Ainsworth: Strange Situation
The other Infants expressed insecure attachmentsAvoidant / Ambivalent attachmentLess likely to explore novel environmentCries loudly when mother leaves or seems
indifferent to departure or when she returns.Harlow’s Monkeys were terrified when
artificial mothers were removed from environment.
Attachment and Relationships
Early attachments form the foundation of our adult relationships
Secure AttachmentsTrust, confidence, self reliance
Insecure AttachmentsJealousy, promiscuity, relationship insecurity
Critical Period for Attachment
Imprinting: A process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period early in life (Konrad Lorenz)
Optimal shortly after birth when an organism’s exposure to certain stimuli produces proper development
Attachment: Mere-exposure/familiarity
Parental Patterns
Daumrind’s three main parenting stylesAuthoritarian parentingPermissive parentingAuthoritative parenting
Parenting Style Quiz
Authoritarian2,3,7,9,12,16,18, 25, 26, 29
Permissive1,6,10,13,14,17,19, 21,24,28
Authoritative4, 5, 8, 11, 15, 20, 22, 23, 27, 30
Parenting Styles
Group Discussion
What makes your parents choose a particular parenting style?
What factors are involved?
Authoritarian Parenting
Style of parenting marked by imposing rules and expecting obedience
Low in warmthDiscipline is strict and sometimes
physical.Communication high from parent to
child and low from child to parentMaturity expectations are high.
Permissive Parenting
Style of parenting marked by submitting to children’s desired, making few demands, and using little punishment
High in warmth but rarely disciplineCommunication is low from parent to
child but high from child to parent.Expectations of maturity are low.
Authoritative Parenting
Style of parenting marked by making demands on the child, being responsive, setting and enforcing rules, and discussing the reason behind the rules
High in warmth with moderate discipline
High in communication and negotiatingMaturity expectations are moderate.