PSYCH101 Lecture 17: LECTURE 17 ATTACHMENT

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH101
• Professor: Martha Savage

Document Summary

At about 8 months, they develop stranger anxiety --> when they cannot assimilate new faces. Attachment - an emotional tie with another person; shown in young children by their seeking closeness to the caregiver and showing distress on separation. Initially thought that attachment was due to baby"s need for nourishment. Infants become attached to parents who are soft and warm and who rock, feed, and pat. Much parent-infant emotional communication occurs via touch. Attachment based on familiarity likewise form during a critical period --> an optimal period shortly after birth when an organism"s exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces proper development. Imprinting --> the process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period very early in life (ie: ducklings see first moving object as their mother) Infants exhibited secure attachment when mothers were sensitive, and responsive and vice versa.