Attachment in Developmental Psychology - 1796 Words

Introduction Attachment is the bond that links humans to vital people in their lives. This bond begins to develop early on in life. According to Berk (2012), infants can become attached to regular people in their lives before the second half of their first year of life. These early attachments are normally to the primary caregivers of the infant. An infant with an attachment disorder is an infant who is unable to connect with his or her caregiver. This can also be called insecure attachment, meaning that the infant is indifferent or opposed to the affections of his or her caregiver. Reactive attachment disorder, or RAD, is a common attachment disorder that causes an infant to show either no attachment to anyone or†¦show more content†¦This study indicates that infants with depressed caregivers have lower occurrences of secure attachment than those with non-depressed caregivers. This study has multiple limitations. First, the sample was almost completely Caucasian. Thus, the results may not be able to be generalized. External validity can also be called into question because most of the sample was Mormon. Another reason to be cautious when generalizing these findings is due to attrition, a common issue in longitudinal studies. The diagnoses of the mothers’ depression were obtained from their therapists and not verified by researchers, causing a lack of consistent diagnostic evidence. Finally, this study’s results are based solely on correlation, not causation. Parental Divorce Research has also been done to determine whether there is a connection between parental divorce and attachment disorders in children. A study conducted by Altenhofen, Sutherland, amp; Biringen (2010) examined the characteristics that contribute to postdivorce child attachment. The sample consisted of 24 mothers and their children. Attachment was determined using Waters’ Attachment Q-Set (AQS). Characteristics like age at the start of overnight stays, parental discord and emotional availability were assessed for their significance in attachment security. Although all of the study variables did not predict attachmentShow MoreRelatedDevelopmental Psychology: Attachment Essay1488 Words   |  6 Pages Attachment is the formation of a two-way emotional bond between a child and an adult caregiver. It is an important part of developmental psychology, which is concerned with reasons and causes for human behaviour, addressing both nurture and nature aspects of childrearing. John Bowlby (1907-1990) is a key psychologist involved in the studies and theories concerning attachment. He summarised his point and the reason for attachment as follows: Based on the above, this essay intends to focusRead MoreTheories Of Developmental Psychology : Attachment Theory1178 Words   |  5 PagesDescribe and evaluate two theories in developmental psychology Attachment theory, it refers to an affectionate bond. â€Å"A relatively extended and enduring connection with the partner is important as a unique individual is interchangeable with no other† Ainsworth (1989) cited in Gross (2003) hand out in class (03/06/2013).The aim of this attachment is for the infant to remain in close proximity to the attachment figure as she is considered the secure base and the infant would become distressed on separationRead MoreAttachment Theory For Understanding Risk And Protection Factors Within Developmental Psychology1940 Words   |  8 PagesThis essay will comprises, firstly, on past research looking into what attachment/ attachment theory is, focusing on Bowlby’s (DATE) research into why an infant’s first attachment is so important. Followed, by the work of Ainsworth et al (1978) bringing to light the findings from the strange situation, and how the research can explain mental illness. From this and in-depth discussion looking at how the previously discussed pieces of research have an effect on two particular disorders, depressionRead MoreAttachment Theory For Understanding Risk And Protection Factors Within Developmental Psychology1988 Words   |  8 PagesThis essay will comprise, firstly, on past research looking into what attachment/ attachment theory is, focusing on Bowlby’s (DATE) research into why an infant’s first attachment is so important. Followed, by the work of Ainsworth et al (1978) bringing to light the findings from the strange situation, and how the research can explain mental illness. From this and in-depth discussion looking at how the previously discussed pieces of research have an effect on two particular disorders, depression andRead MoreErik Erikson s Theory And Theory908 Words   |  4 Pagestheir lifespan. Erikson’s developmental theory discusses the eight stages of life and the forces and values that arise at each stage, which should be developed within thi s frame. The attachment theory focuses on the interaction an individual has and the impact it may have on their psychological and social development. Both theories believe that personality begins to develop from a young age and therefore occurrences in early life can have lasting impacts on the developmental of an individual. AnRead MoreThe Theory Of Developmental Psychology1644 Words   |  7 Pages Developmental Psychology 2 Abstract Developmental Psychology is a scientific study that shows psychological changes in human being to birth to adulthood. It was first made to help infants and children, but now it has expanded to help the adolescence and adults just as well. Paul B. Baltes, has apply the six principles of human development, lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, gains and losses, contextualRead MoreEarly Infant Attachment And Subsequent Development1005 Words   |  5 PagesAnalyze the research on early infant attachment and subsequent development. The infant-caregiver relationship is vastly important to the proper and healthy development of an infant and throughout the duration of the infant’s life. However, the types of relationships attained through attachments as well as socialization goals vary across cultures (Gross, 2011).Secure infant attachments are however, extremely important to overall healthy psychosocial development and prosocial behavior and can be analyzedRead MoreInfant Attachment Styles and General Anxiety Disorder in Adults1373 Words   |  6 PagesInfant Attachment styles and general anxiety disorder in adults Purpose The purpose of this study is to look at the relationship between infant attachment styles and psychological wellbeing, with general anxiety as a measure of psychological wellbeing. This study will use an adult sample that will go through psychological tests to determine what attachment style each individual had when they were infants. After establishing their attachment styles their general anxiety levels will be testedRead MoreMotor Coordination And Emotional Behavioral Problems782 Words   |  4 Pages Developmental Psychology Name: Institution: Developmental Psychology Cairney, J., Veldhuizen, S., Szatmari, P. (2010). Motor coordination and emotional-behavioral problems in children. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 23(4), 324-329. The authors did not conduct any primary research but relied on literature review of other peer-reviewed journal articles. The relevance of this article to the research is that it has a focus on the attachment theory and discusses the significance of emotionallyRead MoreLong Term Effects Of Early Trauma On Children1521 Words   |  7 Pagesemotional developmental delays, and ongoing attachment issues. Introduction The experience of my family in facing difficult in and perplexing behaviors in foster and adopted children is not an uncommon one. It is argued that breaks in the attachment cycle for children in foster care both cause undesirable behaviors, and that undesirable behaviors in turn create a higher likelihood of placement break down. (Newton, R. R., Litrownik, A. J., Landsverk, J. A., 2000). If a child’s attachment to a caregiver