PSYC 302 Chapter 11: Attachment to Others and Development of Self.docx
Document Summary
Attachment theory: children are biologically predisposed to develop attachments to caregivers as a means of increasing the chances of their own survival, secure base: the idea that the presence of a trusted caregiver provides the infant with a sense of security that allows the child to explore the environment and hence become knowledgeable and competent, development of attachment takes place in 4 phases, pre attachment, attachment in the making (0 6 weeks): infant produces innate signals like crying to summon caregiver preferentially to familiar people with a smile, laugh or babble and more easily soothed by that person. (6w 6/8mon): infant starts to respond, this is when infants form expectations about caregiver and consequently develop trust in them or not, clear cut attachment, reciprocal relationship (6/8mon 1,5yrs): infant actively seeks contact with caregiver, may exhibit signs of distress when caregiver leaves. communicate better and takes an active role in developing a partnership.
