ATTACHMENT BEHAVIOUR::Caregiver-infant interactions in humans: . Stages of attachment identified by Schaffer. Multiple attachments and the role of the father.Animal studies of attachment: Ainsworth’s ‘Strange Situation’. Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation. Romanian orphan studies: effects of institutionalisation.The influence of early passion on childhood and adult relationships

Explore the fascinating dynamics of caregiver-infant interactions, including reciprocity and interactional synchrony. Learn how these processes shape human bonding and attachment.

Explore Schaffer’s stages of attachment: asocial, indiscriminate, specific, and multiple attachments. Learn about early emotional bond formation, caregiver-infant interactions, developmental milestones, and how these stages impact future relationships.

This in-depth exploration of fatherhood goes beyond traditional attachment theories to examine the biological, psychological, evolutionary, and socio-economic factors shaping paternal roles. From evolutionary adaptability to cross-cultural caregiving, this piece challenges outdated stereotypes, highlighting how hormonal shifts, economic structures, and shifting gender roles influence modern fatherhood.

Discover the key animal studies of attachment by Lorenz and Harlow. Learn about Lorenz's research on imprinting in geese and its implications for early bonding, and Harlow's experiments with rhesus monkeys, highlighting the importance of comfort and security in forming attachments. These studies provide insights into attachment behaviours in both animals and humans.

Explore learning theory explanations of attachment, focusing on how attachments form through processes such as classical conditioning (associating caregivers with comfort and food) and operant conditioning (reinforcement through meeting a child’s needs). Learn how this theory emphasises the role of nurture in developing bonds between infants and caregivers.

Discover Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment, which suggests that infants form one primary attachment (monotropy) vital for survival. Learn about the critical period, a time-sensitive window for forming attachments, and the internal working model, a mental framework that shapes future relationships based on early attachment experiences.

Explore Ainsworth’s ‘Strange Situation’, a key study used to classify attachment types in infants: secure, insecure-avoidant, and insecure-resistant. Understand how this controlled observational method reveals differences in caregiver-child interactions and their impact on emotional security and behaviour.

Discover cultural variations in attachment, including the influential meta-analysis by Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg, which examined attachment patterns across different countries. Explore how attachment types—secure, insecure-avoidant, and insecure-resistant—vary

Learn about Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Hypothesis, which emphasises the critical role of continuous care for healthy emotional and social development. Explore key research, including Bowlby’s 44 Thieves Study, which linked early separation to delinquency, and the Robertson and Robertson studies, which highlight the effects of temporary separation on children.

Discover how early attachment experiences shape relationships throughout life, guided by Bowlby’s concept of the internal working model. Explore how secure and insecure attachment styles influence social and romantic interactions in adulthood, with key insights from Hazan and Shaver’s Love Quiz, which demonstrated the enduring impact of childhood attachment on adult romantic relationships.

Explore the effects of privation and institutionalisation through Romanian orphan studies led by Michael Rutter. Learn how early deprivation impacts emotional, social, and cognitive development, highlighting the importance of caregiving environments during critical periods. Discover key findings about recovery and resilience in children adopted from institutions.