Harry Harlow

Attachment Theory

Attachment Theory There is a deep emotional tie and almost a

physical connection with a loved one This is vital throughout life John Bowlby, Harry Harlow, Mary Ainsworth

Evolutionary Contact Comfort Several Attachment

Survival Skill Styles Existed

Theories of Attachment

Psychoanalytical Theory Freudian Oral, Breast Feeding

Behavioral/Learning Theory Infants become attached to people who feed and

meet their needs The primary caregiver becomes the source of

reinforcement – the infant will do whatever necessary to get the caregiver’s attention (cry, smile, babble)

Harlow’s Monkey StudyHow important is feeding?

• Harlow researched this question in 1959• Critical Question: Would the monkeys become

attached to the wire “mother” who feeds them or the soft, cloth mother?

Monkey Study

How was the study designed?

Results?

How does this apply to human babies?

We may shiver through Harlow's results, but still we make use of them.

Babies who are deprived of physical touch and emotional attachment were much more likely to suffer physical, social, emotional, and intellectual difficulties

Orphanages, Hospitals, Fathers, Daycares

Mary Ainsworth

Mary Ainsworth researched the ideas of attachment by placing human infants into novel situations.

Strange Situation: Ainsworth observed the reactions of babies when their parents left for a short time and then returned

Mary Ainsworth: Strange Situation

Infants with secure attachments (about 60 percent of the participants) confidently explore the novel environment

while the parents are presentdistressed when parent leavesseek contact with parent upon returning.

Mary Ainsworth: Strange Situation

The other Infants expressed insecure attachmentsAvoidant / Ambivalent attachmentLess likely to explore novel environmentCries loudly when mother leaves or seems

indifferent to departure or when she returns.Harlow’s Monkeys were terrified when

artificial mothers were removed from environment.

Critical Period

Optimal shortly after birth when an organism’s exposure to certain stimuli produces proper development

Imprinting: A process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period early in life

Sensitive Period

Parental Patterns

Daumrind’s three main parenting stylesAuthoritarian parentingPermissive parentingAuthoritative parenting

Parenting Style Quiz

Authoritarian2,3,7,9,12,16,18, 25, 26, 29

Permissive1,6,10,13,14,17,19, 21,24,28

Authoritative4, 5, 8, 11, 15, 20, 22, 23, 27, 30

Authoritarian Parenting

Style of parenting marked by imposing rules and expecting obedience

Low in warmthDiscipline is strict and sometimes

physical.Communication high from parent to

child and low from child to parentMaturity expectations are high.

Permissive Parenting

Style of parenting marked by submitting to children’s desired, making few demands, and using little punishment

High in warmth but rarely disciplineCommunication is low from parent to

child but high from child to parent.Expectations of maturity are low.

Authoritative Parenting

Style of parenting marked by making demands on the child, being responsive, setting and enforcing rules, and discussing the reason behind the rules

High in warmth with moderate discipline

High in communication and negotiatingMaturity expectations are moderate.

Parenting Styles