Is attachment of infants to their caregivers important to the psychological
development of children?
Attachment is ‘a strong, intimate, emotional connection between people that persists
over time and across circumstances’. (Gazzaniga, M. S, 2018, psychological science)
Attachment of infants to their caregivers is important to the psychological development
of children as this provides success for the child in both their personal development and
future relationships with others. Bowlby, a child psychiatrist, studied an infant’s
relationship with their mother. He developed attachment theory, showing how
attachment to the caregiver can affect development later in life such as childhood.
Attachment can affect a child in their cognitive development as well as both emotionally
and socially. Once a child is securely attached, they feel safe to move onto their
exploratory behaviour phase. Caregivers must provide the child with a response to their
needs, allowing the infant to feel secure.
Ainsworth, a developmental psychologist developed the strange situation test to
understand the types of attachment behaviours. Ainsworth studied the ‘attachment and
exploration balance’ of children aged one year. This study involved looking at children
using a two-way mirror and noting how they reacted when they were separated and
reunited with their caregiver, showing the level of attachment the child has towards their
caregiver. There are different types of attachment. Secure attachment refers to most
infants. A securely attached child can happily and confidently play by themselves, they
are able to remain happy around a stranger while their attached figure is there. Once
the attached caregiver leaves, the child will become distressed however, they are
quickly consoled and comforted once the attached figure returns. Secure attachment is
vital to the development of children as this provides children with trust in others. This
enables a child to feel secure in themselves, providing resilience. Secure attachment
enables healthy development in children both socially and cognitively, providing them
with more success in their education and future relationships with others. (Mary D.
Salter Ainsworth and Silvia M. Bell, 1970)
A minority of infants are affected by insecure attachment. The infant may not seek
contact with their caregiver or may even show negative motives towards their caregiver
such as a negative facial expression. They won’t show signs of distress once the
caregiver leaves the room. Or seek attention from the caregiver when they return,
displaying behaviours of avoidance. Attachment of infants to their caregivers is
important to their psychological development in childhood as insecure attachment may
lead to problems within their development such as facing difficulty communicating
emotionally such as talking about feelings of loss. A lack of a ‘secure base’ in infancy
can cause negative impacts psychologically. They may control their feelings and limit
expression of emotions, which can be damaging for future relationships as they will lack
trust, holding onto their independence, and tend to often be cynical.
(www.fairstartfoundation.com, accessed (15/02/19))
Anxious, ambivalent attachment is when an infant feels a sense of separation anxiety
when the caregiver leaves and does not feel reunited or reassured when they return.
development of children?
Attachment is ‘a strong, intimate, emotional connection between people that persists
over time and across circumstances’. (Gazzaniga, M. S, 2018, psychological science)
Attachment of infants to their caregivers is important to the psychological development
of children as this provides success for the child in both their personal development and
future relationships with others. Bowlby, a child psychiatrist, studied an infant’s
relationship with their mother. He developed attachment theory, showing how
attachment to the caregiver can affect development later in life such as childhood.
Attachment can affect a child in their cognitive development as well as both emotionally
and socially. Once a child is securely attached, they feel safe to move onto their
exploratory behaviour phase. Caregivers must provide the child with a response to their
needs, allowing the infant to feel secure.
Ainsworth, a developmental psychologist developed the strange situation test to
understand the types of attachment behaviours. Ainsworth studied the ‘attachment and
exploration balance’ of children aged one year. This study involved looking at children
using a two-way mirror and noting how they reacted when they were separated and
reunited with their caregiver, showing the level of attachment the child has towards their
caregiver. There are different types of attachment. Secure attachment refers to most
infants. A securely attached child can happily and confidently play by themselves, they
are able to remain happy around a stranger while their attached figure is there. Once
the attached caregiver leaves, the child will become distressed however, they are
quickly consoled and comforted once the attached figure returns. Secure attachment is
vital to the development of children as this provides children with trust in others. This
enables a child to feel secure in themselves, providing resilience. Secure attachment
enables healthy development in children both socially and cognitively, providing them
with more success in their education and future relationships with others. (Mary D.
Salter Ainsworth and Silvia M. Bell, 1970)
A minority of infants are affected by insecure attachment. The infant may not seek
contact with their caregiver or may even show negative motives towards their caregiver
such as a negative facial expression. They won’t show signs of distress once the
caregiver leaves the room. Or seek attention from the caregiver when they return,
displaying behaviours of avoidance. Attachment of infants to their caregivers is
important to their psychological development in childhood as insecure attachment may
lead to problems within their development such as facing difficulty communicating
emotionally such as talking about feelings of loss. A lack of a ‘secure base’ in infancy
can cause negative impacts psychologically. They may control their feelings and limit
expression of emotions, which can be damaging for future relationships as they will lack
trust, holding onto their independence, and tend to often be cynical.
(www.fairstartfoundation.com, accessed (15/02/19))
Anxious, ambivalent attachment is when an infant feels a sense of separation anxiety
when the caregiver leaves and does not feel reunited or reassured when they return.
