Before completing this discussion, be sure to review Chapter 8 in your text, the “Attachment Style” article, as well as the Harlow’s Studies on Dependency in Monkeys, and What are Emotions videos.

QUESTION

Before completing this discussion, be sure to review Chapter 8 in your text, the “Attachment Style” article, as well as the Harlow’s Studies on Dependency in Monkeys, and What are Emotions videos. You may also want to review the recommended multimedia, Konrad Lorenz Experiment with Geese video. After examining the research in human development presented in your required resources, complete the following discussion:

Psychologists have developed many theories that attempt to capture how love grows, including the nature of attachment. Watch the brief video illustrating Harry Harlow’s studies on contact comfort and examine the emotional domain of human development (specifically, emotional attachment), and discuss individual differences in attachment. Your initial post should contain the following:
•Explain why individual differences in attachment matter. What are their known sources?
•Describe the influences that family, or lack thereof, and environment have on the development of infants.
•Discuss the extent to which individual differences in attachment may be linked to caregiving style.
•Discuss the extent to which individual differences in attachment may be linked to infants’ temperament.

ANSWER

Individual Differences in AttachmentSources, Influences, and Implications for Emotional Development

Individual differences in attachment matter because they play a crucial role in shaping an individual’s emotional development and their ability to form and maintain healthy relationships throughout their lives. Attachment refers to the deep emotional bond that forms between an infant and their primary caregiver, usually the mother, and it serves as a blueprint for all future relationships. Understanding the sources of these individual differences in attachment can provide insights into the development of human emotions and relationships.

One known source of individual differences in attachment is the quality of caregiving received during infancy. Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby, suggests that infants develop different attachment styles based on their interactions with their primary caregiver. The sensitivity and responsiveness of the caregiver to the infant’s needs and cues play a significant role in shaping the infant’s attachment style (Hong & Park, 2012). Secure attachment is typically formed when caregivers are consistently available, responsive, and nurturing. In contrast, inconsistent or neglectful caregiving can lead to insecure attachment styles, such as anxious or avoidant attachment.

The family environment has a profound influence on infants’ development, particularly in the realm of attachment. A secure attachment is more likely to develop in families where there is a warm and supportive environment, where caregivers provide a secure base from which the infant can explore the world. On the other hand, an unstable or hostile family environment can disrupt the formation of a secure attachment and contribute to the development of insecure attachment styles.

The broader social and cultural environment also plays a role in infants’ attachment development. Cultural beliefs and practices regarding caregiving, parental roles, and child-rearing practices can influence the attachment relationship. For example, cultures that emphasize interdependence and communal caregiving may have different patterns of attachment compared to cultures that prioritize independence and individualistic values.

Caregiving style and individual differences in attachment are closely intertwined. The way caregivers interact with their infants can shape their attachment styles (Benoit, 2004). Securely attached infants often have caregivers who are consistently responsive, sensitive, and attuned to their needs. In contrast, insecurely attached infants may have caregivers who are inconsistently available, unresponsive, or dismissive of their needs. Caregivers who provide a secure and nurturing environment foster the development of secure attachment, while those who are insensitive or neglectful can contribute to the formation of insecure attachment styles.

Infants’ temperament, which refers to their innate characteristics and behavioral tendencies, also plays a role in individual differences in attachment. Some infants are naturally more sociable, adaptable, and resilient, making it easier for them to form secure attachments (Mangelsdorf & Frosch, 1999). Others may have a more difficult temperament, such as being fussy, irritable, or slow to warm up to new situations, which can pose challenges in the development of secure attachment. Caregivers’ responses to these individual differences in temperament can influence the formation of attachment styles. For example, a sensitive and patient caregiver may help a difficult or shy infant develop a secure attachment through consistent and supportive interactions.

In conclusion, individual differences in attachment are significant in human development as they shape emotional development and influence the formation of future relationships. The sources of these individual differences include the quality of caregiving, the family environment, and the broader social and cultural context. Caregiving style and infants’ temperament are closely linked to individual differences in attachment, with sensitive and responsive caregiving fostering secure attachment, while inconsistent or neglectful caregiving and challenging infant temperaments can contribute to insecure attachment styles. Understanding these factors can inform interventions and support systems to promote healthy attachment relationships and emotional development in infants.

References

Benoit, D. (2004). Infant-parent attachment: Definition, types, antecedents, measurement and outcome. Paediatrics and Child Health, 9(8), 541–545. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/9.8.541

Hong, Y. J., & Park, J. Y. (2012). Impact of attachment, temperament and parenting on human development. Korean Journal of Pediatrics, 55(12), 449. https://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2012.55.12.449 

Mangelsdorf, S. C., & Frosch, C. A. (1999). Temperament and Attachment: One Construct or Two? In Advances in Child Development and Behavior (pp. 181–220). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0065-2407(08)60139-1