Ainsworth Mary Dinsmore Ainsworth was an American-Canadian developmental psychologist known for her work in the development of the attachment theory. She designed the strange situation procedure to observe early emotional attachment between a child and its primary caregiver.Mary Ainsworth
What is Ainsworth's caregiver sensitivity hypothesis?
Strange Situation Conclusion Ainsworth (1978) suggested the ‘caregiver sensitivity hypothesis’ as an explanation for different attachment types. Ainsworth's maternal sensitivity hypothesis argues that a child’s attachment style is dependent on the behavior their mother shows towards them.
What is caregiver sensitivity Howes?
(Howes, Galinsky, and Kontos 1998) Caregiver sensitivity refers to the responsive, sensitive manner of caring; how you react to children’s cues and respond. A sensitive caregiver recognizes children’s unique temperaments, as well as their likes and dislikes, and reflects on these traits while thinking of how to respond to children.
What is caregiver sensitivity in child development?
Defining caregiver sensitivity. Early attachment theorists define caregiver sensitivity as the caregiver’s ability to “be aware of the child’s signals and to evaluate and respond to them in a meaningful, accurate, and appropriate way” (Ainsworth, Bell & Stayton, 1974; Journal of European Psychology Students, 2010).
What are the characteristics of a caregiver high in responsiveness?
A caregiver high in responsiveness would consistently and appropriately respond to the infant's expressions of distress, interest and happiness. Infants differ in temperament, in likes and dislikes, and a caregiver who is responsive not only recognizes what a particular infant needs or wants but also is effective at providing it.
What is caregiver sensitivity?
Caregiver sensitivity refers to the responsive, sensitive manner of caring; how you react to children's cues and respond. A sensitive caregiver recognizes children's unique temperaments, as well as their likes and dislikes, and reflects on these traits while thinking of how to respond to children.
What kinds of caregiver behaviors might indicate sensitivity?
A caregiver high in sensitivity would be able to differentiate among these cues, and, for example, know when the baby has teething pain and put some oral anesthetic on her gums. A caregiver low in sensitivity might try feeding her, then change her diaper and then try to walk her around the house to amuse her.
What is the temperament hypothesis?
Temperament hypothesis (Kagan, 1982) argues that some infants are born with an innate personality that makes them more friendly, and so it is easier for the mother or caregiver to be caring and nurturing, whereas other infants have difficult personalities that make it less likely the mother will want to comfort them.
What was the purpose of the Strange Situation experiment?
The strange situation is a procedure devised by Mary Ainsworth in the 1970s to observe attachment in children, that is relationships between a caregiver and child. It applies to children between the age of nine and 30 months.
How is parental sensitivity measured?
The Ainsworth Maternal Sensitivity Scale is used to measure the sensitivity of the mother of children aged 3 to 24 months (or thereabouts). The tool measures the mother's ability to perceive the infant's signals accurately and to respond to these signals promptly and appropriately.
What are 5 factors that need to be present for good secure attachment?
The 5 conditions necessary for raising a child with secure attachmentThe child feels safe. As a parent, first and foremost, you want your child to feel protected. ... The child feels seen and known. ... The child feels comfort, soothing and reassurance. ... The child feels valued. ... The child feels supported to explore.
What are the 3 types of temperament?
There are three general types of temperaments: easy-going, slow-to- warm, and active. Easy-going children are generally happy and active from birth and adjust easily to new situations and environments. Slow-to-warm children are generally observant and calm and may need extra time to adjust to new situations.
What is the maternal deprivation hypothesis?
Bowlby's maternal deprivation hypothesis suggests that continual disruption of the attachment between infant and primary caregiver (i.e. mother) could result in long term cognitive, social, and emotional difficulties for that infant. Bowlby originally believed the effects to be permanent and irreversible.
What is the difference between insecure avoidant and insecure resistant?
Insecure–avoidant is seen when young children respond to stress by not seeking, or actively avoiding, help from their caregiver. Insecure–resistant attachment is characterized by the young child who can signal his distress but has great difficulty getting effective comfort from the caregiver.
What was the conclusion of Strange Situation?
Strange Situation Conclusion Ainsworth's maternal sensitivity hypothesis argues that a child's attachment style is dependent on the behavior their mother shows towards them. 'Sensitive' mothers are responsive to the child's needs and respond to their moods and feelings correctly.
What is the Strange Situation test in child psychology?
an experimental technique used to assess quality of attachment in infants and young children (up to the age of 2). The procedure subjects the child to increasing amounts of stress induced by a strange setting, the entrance of an unfamiliar person, and two brief separations from the parent.
What is one of the main criticisms of the Strange Situation quizlet?
What is one of the main criticisms of the Strange Situation? It may be culturally biased. It is outdated.
What is caregiving behavior?
The Caregiving System Bowlby (1969) suggested that there is a behavioral caregiving system that involves a set of parental behaviors (e.g., picking up, carrying) that serve to protect a child. Evolutionarily, the caregiving system functions to ensure reproductive fitness through the survival of one's child.
Which child is demonstrating characteristics of secure attachment?
The securely-attached child explores the room freely when his mother is present. He may be distressed when his mother leaves, and he explores less when she is absent. But he is happy when she returns. If he cries, he approaches his mother and holds her tightly.
What happens when a caregiver doesn't respond sensitively towards a baby's needs?
Insecure attachment —Develops when a primary caregiver does not consistently respond in ways that are warm, affectionate, and sensitive to a baby's needs. Secure attachment —Usually develops when the primary caregiver is sensitive to the infant's behavior and is emotionally and physically available to the child.
What is caregiver consistency?
A consistent caregiver commits to seeing your loved one according to the schedule you all agree upon, which allows you to make plans for things such as your medical appointments without worrying the caregiver might not show up.
What is the maternal sensitivity hypothesis?
Ainsworth's maternal sensitivity hypothesis argues that a child’s attachment style is dependent on the behavior their mother shows towards them.
When did Schaffer and Emerson discover innate differences in sociability in babies?
For example, Schaffer and Emerson (1964) discovered what appeared to be innate differences in sociability in babies; some babies preferred cuddling more than others, from very early on, before much interaction had occurred to cause such differences. It’s easy enough to know when you are attached to someone because you know how you feel ...
What does Mary Ainsworth conclude about the strange situation?
Mary Ainsworth concluded that the strange situation could be used to identify the child's type of attachment has been criticized on the grounds that it identifies only the type of attachment to the mother. The child may have a different type of attachment to the father or grandmother, for example (Lamb, 1977). This means that it lacks validity, as it does not measure a general attachment style, but instead an attachment style specific to the mother.
Why did Ainsworth develop an experimental procedure?
Ainsworth developed an experimental procedure in order to observe the variety of attachment forms exhibited between mothers and infants. The experiment is set up in a small room with one way glass so the behavior of the infant can be observed covertly. Infants were aged between 12 and 18 months.
Why do infants develop secure attachment?
Infants develop a secure attachment when the caregiver is sensitive to their signals, and responds appropriately to their needs.
What paradigm was used to investigate the security of attachment in one- to two-year-olds?
The security of attachment in one- to two-year-olds were investigated using the strange situation paradigm, in order to determine the nature of attachment behaviors and styles of attachment.
Which of Bowlby's theories was first empirically proven?
Ainsworth’s (1971, 1978) findings provided the first empirical evidence for Bowlby’s attachment theory.
Why is it so hard for a child to know if a caregiver is inconsistent?
When a caregiver is inconsistent, it’s hard for the child to know whether or how the caregiver will respond. Infants who receive unpredictable care may show less secure attachment behavior. Inconsistency of care can arise for many reasons. Infants may move between attachment figures during their first year of life.
How does a caregiver affect attachment?
There are two main caregiving factors that determine children’s quality of attachment. The first is how much consistent care children receive early in life . The second is how sensitive the caregiver is to the child’s needs.
What does consistent care mean for a child?
What does consistent care look like for a child? It’s meeting a child’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs on a regular basis. A caregiver must first recognize an infant’s signals. Then she has to determine what those signals mean and reliably respond to them. It’s not always easy to figure out what an infant needs. Sometimes a caregiver might misinterpret or miss an infant’s cue. The key is for the caregiver to make adjustments to increase consistent care during future interactions. Consistency is important not only in times of distress but also during play. This helps the child feel comfort and security. When a caregiver is inconsistent, it’s hard for the child to know whether or how the caregiver will respond. Infants who receive unpredictable care may show less secure attachment behavior. Inconsistency of care can arise for many reasons. Infants may move between attachment figures during their first year of life. There may be challenges at home that take a parent’s attention away from the child. In more extreme cases, a child may experience maltreatment or neglect.
Why is consistency important for caregivers?
Sometimes a caregiver might misinterpret or miss an infant’s cue. The key is for the caregiver to make adjustments to increase consistent care during future interactions. Consistency is important not only in times of distress but also during play. This helps the child feel comfort and security.
Why is it important to provide quality care to infants?
Providing quality care to infants is important for their attachment. Infants raised by more sensitive parents are more likely to develop secure attachment.
