Importance of infant Importance of infant attachmentattachment

Chapter 31

Communication and social Communication and social behaviourbehaviour

Humans are social animals . To operate sucessfully the members of a group must be able to communicate with one another. Social behaviour involves transmitting and

receiving information using signs and signals (e.g. verbal ,written and body language

Body Language-examples

Infant attachmentInfant attachmentIn humans the period of dependency by the

infant on the

adult is a long one. The reason for this is that the move from baby to child to adult requires much

learning

Infant attachmentInfant attachment

The tie that binds the baby to the carer

At first attachment is indiscriminate

Specific attachment to the mother (and carers) begins at about 6-7 months.

The provision of food and contact comfort are the basis of the attachment.

Contact ComfortContact Comfort

http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Harlow/love.htm

Importance of infant attachmentImportance of infant attachment

The long period of dependency gives a secure base for development

Allows child to explore-discovers opportunities for learning

Sense of safety necessary for social and cognitive skills to develop in

AttachmeAttachmentnt

The base upon which all development takes

place

Development of Development of attachmentattachment

Effect of deprivationEffect of deprivation

Denying children contact comfort can result in the development of disturbed adults

children who suffer from social deprivation can be prevented from forming social attachments

children may miss out on opportunities to develop essential communication skills

The “Strange The “Strange Situation”Situation”

type of attachment

secureinsecure

detached (avoidant)

resistant

response to the departure of

mother

Displays major distress

displays indifference or mild distress

displays major distress

response to the presence of

strangerin absence of

mother

resists offer of comfort from

stranger

accepts comfort from stranger if

required

resists offer of comfort from

stranger

response to the return of mother

goes to mother immediately for

comfort and then clams down and returns to play

ignores mother of approaches her looking away

both seeks and resists comfort (e.g. approaches her to be picked up but

then struggles to be released)