DEP 4005 - Developmental Psychology Christine Ruva

"The Attachment Relationship"

(a film written and narrated by Dr. Alan Sroufe)

1. Infants' attachment to caregivers occurs naturally at the end of the first year. The quality of this relationship depends on experience (i.e., interaction with caregivers during the first year).

2. The Ainsworth Strange Situation is a way to assess the quality of the attachment relationship. It involves a series of episodes that are increasingly stressful to infants so that infants' adjustments to these stresses can be observed. There are four criteria by which quality of attachment is determined:

a. active play and exploration in caregiver's presence

b. enthusiastic greetings when not distressed

c. effectiveness of contact when distressed

(i) The more distressed the infant is the more active he/she should be in seeking reassurance from their caregiver.

(ii) No matter how distressed the infant is, the caregiver's reassurance should be effective.

d. absence of anger, petulance, and withholding of contact when distressed

The Strange Situation involves eight episodes, each of which lasts no more than three minutes:

a. infant and mother in novel room with attractive toys

b. stranger enters (quiet; chat with mother; play with infant)

c. caregiver leaves

d. caregiver returns, stranger leaves

e. caregiver leaves infant alone

f. stranger returns

g. mother returns, stranger leaves

3. Quality of attachment is unrelated to temperament or to healthiness.

4. A secure attachment promotes later development. For example, at 2 years a secure attachment is associated with independent problem-solving, cooperation with the caregiver, and self-confidence.