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AQA Psychology, Attachment Essays
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10 separate attachment essays for the A-level AQA psychology course
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Outline and evaluate animal studies in attachment
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Discuss the Biological Approach (16 Marks)
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Discuss the cognitive approach (16 Marks)
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1. With reference to reciprocity and interactional synchrony, discuss infant-caregiver interactions [16]
Reciprocity can be defined as when an infant responds to the actions of another persian. This often
happens when the mother elicits a response from the infant. This has been researched by Brazeldon et al
who suggested that reciprocity is a dance that responds to each other's move. Moreover, interactional
synchrony involves a synchronised response, with actions being carried out simultaneously, rhythmically
and dynamically. This was researched by Meltzof and Moore who observed the beginning of interactional
synchrony and found an association between the expression and action of the child. Moore suggested
that higher synchrony is correlated with higher levels of attachment. This was later corroborated by
Isabella et al.
It is hard to know what is happening when observing infants - what is being observed is merely hand
movements or change in expression, it is difficult to tell whether the imitation of adults is conscious and
deliberate from the baby' perspective - unsure if it has a special meaning.
A second weakness is observational studies.They do not tell us the purpose of synchrony and reciprocity.
Feldman states they simply describe behaviours that occur at the same time. They can be reliably
observed but they are not necessarily useful. However there is evidence for reciprocity and synchrony
being helpful in the development of mother-infant attachment, stress responses, empathy, language and
moral development
The research into mother-infant reactions is socially sensitive - women who return quickly to work quickly
offers and restricts opportunities for achieving interactional synchrony - suggests that women should not
return so soon so the research has social sensitive implications as it implies that children may be
disadvantaged by different child rearing practices
One strength is the methodology. It is filmed from different angles so fine details are recorded and
analysed later, the babies don't know that they are being observed therefore their behaviour doesn't
change so the study has good validity
, 2. Outline and evaluate the role of the father in the development of attachment [16]
Schaffer and Emerson carried out an observational study demonstrating how babies can form multiple
attachments. They found that primary attachments are formed with the mother 65% of the time, and
fathers are in the multiple attachment stage. 29% of infants have formed these multiple attachments
within a month, and most within a year. Before, they would only rely on their primary caregiver, often their
mother, but can also be another other substitute. Other research into the role of the father has
demonstrated that the role of the father change
There is research evidence that provides support for the role of the father as a ‘playmate’. Research by
Geiger (1996) found that fathers’ play interactions were more exciting in comparison to mothers’.
However, the mothers’ play interactions were more affectionate and nurturing. This suggests that the role
of the father is, in fact, as a playmate and not as a sensitive parent who responds to the needs of
their children. These results also confirm that the mother takes on more of a nurturing role.
Furthermore, research evidence also suggests that fathers do not provide a sensitive and nurturing
attachment. Hardy (1999) found that fathers were less able to detect low levels of infant distress, in
comparison to mothers. These results appear to support the biological explanations highlighted above;
the lack of oestrogen in men means that fathers are not biologically equipped to form close attachments
with their children. This suggests that the role of the father is, to some extent, biologically determined and
that a father’s role is restricted because of their biological makeup. This provides further evidence that
fathers are not able to provide a sensitive and nurturing type of attachment, as they are unable to detect
stress in their children.
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