...How Insecure Attachment in Early Childhood Impact Romantic Attachments Later in Life Anna Crosby Introduction to Psychology How Insecure Attachment in Early Childhood Impact Romantic Attachments Later in Life The fact that early childhood experiences have significant impacts on later human developments is undisputable. The childhood experiences account for adulthood differences in many aspects of life such as behavior, social skills, cognition, personality, emotional response and romantic relationships among others. Some psychoanalysts argue that early positive childhood experiences play a pivotal role in determining the long term developmental outcomes in adulthood. It also guarantees children protection against subsequent trauma. Early childhood experiences, especially those related to emotions or affection received from other people, induces a sense of organization or a pattern in structural growths that enhance and expand functional capabilities later in life. According to Amato & Keith (2001), these early childhood experiences cultivate development of unique characters and personalities, leading to thriving of adaptive capacities that build resistance of the individual against vulnerabilities and other forms of future pathologies. A certain empirical research revealed that, children, immediately after birth, are endowed with competence as well as social...
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...Discuss the influence of childhood on relationships. According to Shaver (1988), three behavioural systems developed during early childhood – attachment, caregiving and sexuality – form the basis of romantic love in adulthood. The concept of attachment is derived from Bowlby’s (1969) theory. Bowlby claimed that relationships tend to be a continuation of the attachment style expressed in infancy (secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant) due to the internal working model of relationships that infants acquire from their caregiver(s). A child’s experience of attachment to a caregiver informs expectations of future relationships, including romantic ones. The caregiving and sexuality systems are also tied to attachment figures. “Caregiving” involves an individual’s knowledge of how to care for others, as learnt from the behaviour of the primary attachment figure in childhood. “Sexuality” also relates to attachment types. For example, individuals who experienced an insecure-avoidant attachment to their primary caregiver are more likely to pursue sex without love. Fraley (1998) conducted a meta-analysis of studies into the relationship between childhood caregiver attachment and adult romantic attachment to collect sufficient evidence for the claim. Fraley found relatively weak correlations (ranging from .10 to .50). One reason for the weakness of the correlations may be that attachment type changes over time rather than remaining the same post-infancy, as is often assumed. Significant...
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...Child Abuse and Its Effects on the Child’s Ability to Form Attachments The moment that a child is conceived begins a lifelong journey of attachment. Studies have shown that embryos begin bonding in the womb when they feel movement, hear voices, and through the stimulation of smell and taste. This attachment with a caregiver grows even stronger when the child is born and as they move into childhood develops further into other relationships. The intensity associated with the importance of this development is best described by Perry (2001), “The most important property of humankind is the capacity to form and maintain relationships. These relationships are absolutely necessary for any of us to survive, learn, work, love and procreate” (p. 1). That is, as long as the proper environment and development is exposed to the child. Exposure to constant distress or inflicted abuse and/or neglect to a child can result in reactive attachment disorder, along with many other socioemotional problems and disorders. This will affect all relationships, as well as their ability to accomplish goals and lead a directed, goal-oriented life. When and if others intervene within the abusive situation, will determine how the child will deal with an attachment disorder. If intervention does not occur, attachment disorders associated with abuse and/or neglect can lead to violence in children and adults. There are ways to help children cope with this disorder, but it will become a struggle they will have...
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...people who are or have been important to them) have affected their development?’ Abstract John Bowlby’s theory of attachment asserts that in childhood attachments are formed between the infant and the caregiver. It also asserts that these attachments form the basis of adult relationships. This qualitative thematic analysis of an interview with Chloe attempts to show how early attachments form a framework of later development. This study shows some support for Bowlby’s theory of the continuity of attachment behaviour but also shows that the nature of attachments can change throughout life in particular due to adult relationships and life experience. Introduction The field of developmental psychology is concerned with understanding how our mental outlook can change over the course of a lifetime. It considers both the effects of cultural and environmental factors and the internal motivations of the individual. One of the main area of research is understanding the degree of continuity in how behaviour is formed and to what degree it can be influenced by past experience. In the area of human relationships, Attachment theory (as cited in Wood et al., 2007) explores how relationships develop. Bowlby (as cited in Wood et al., 2007) proposed that we have a basic biological drive to form an attachment to a ‘mother figure’ at birth. The nature of the attachment gives rise to a ‘internal working model’ in the mind of the child that has three components, a model of the self, the...
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...loved and cared for as well as feeling safe and valued in order to have a healthy emotional development. This early emotional development involves developing relationships with others, which build the foundation for young children to develop their ability. Instead of feeling anxious about the possibility of being abandoned, children feel secured enable them to start exploring their environment and becoming independent. The very first relationship is usually built between a baby and a primary caregiver, usually the mother or mother substitute. This relationship is of particular significance as it develops the attachment, which is vital as the foundation of developing subsequent relationship (MCI, undated). "The propensity to make strong emotional bonds to particular individuals [is] a basic component of human nature" (Bowlby, 1988, p3) Attachment is described as “an enduring bond” (MCI, undated) and further elaborated by the attachment theorist, John Bowlby. He famously stated “what is believed to be essential for mental health is that an infant and young child should experience a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with his mother (or permanent mother substitute – one person who steadily ‘mothers’ him) in which both find satisfaction and enjoyment” (Bowlby, 1953). Bowlby was very much influenced by ethological studies in general, especially by Harry Harlow’s research with monkeys and Konrad Lorenz’s study of imprinting (McLeod, 2007). Harlow’s...
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...particular focus, on the role played by parent’s attachment styles, in cohesion with the parent’s physical and psychological health. The essay will further highlight an existence of additional complex factors, above and above parenting, that affect children’s mental health, varying from, social, environmental, cultural, stigma and poverty effects. Mental health can described as state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life. Research outlines that, a child mental well being is thought to depend a combination of factors such healthy and balanced nutrition, socialization, and nurturing, provided by primary caregivers, extended family, and the community of residence, a potential impact to which, the child development process can proceeds along a healthy, or potentially traumatic trajectory (Gardner, & Gunn, 2012). From a social and nurturing perspective, the attachment theory supports the above notion, by stating that the quality of mother-child (or primary caregiver) attachment, is regarded as a pervasive factor in the development of an individual’s relational psychology throughout the entire lifespan (Bowlby, 1982; Freud, 1932). Attachment theory evolves from a basic premise that attachment behaviours are part of a drive behavioural system, organised around specific attachment figures (Bowlby, 1969). The theory further...
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...Comprehensive Analysis Case Study Cheryl M. Todd PSY7220 Capella University Abstract This comprehensive case analysis will follow Gwen Cohen-Green through the following three stages of development: early childhood, middle childhood, and early adolescence. Within each of the three stages I will identify Gwen’s social and emotional development, theories pertaining to her development, validation, and predominate factors. A complete analysis and synthesis will support the findings, and recommendations will be given to support her. Table of Contents Introduction Case Study: Early Childhood Case Study: Middle Childhood Cased Study: Early Adolescence Analysis and Synthesis Recommendations Conclusion References 1 1-5 5-10 10-15 15-16 16-17 17 18-20 Comprehensive Analysis Case Study Introduction This study will identify the child I have chosen for my case study project and follow her through each of the following stages: early childhood, middle childhood and early adolescence. Secondly, the study will include an analysis and synthesis of developmental domains and of environmental and influential factors and finally, the study will make recommendations for optimal development. Early Childhood: Case Study Gwen Cohen-Green is an only child that lives with both her mom and dad in a suburban setting. Mom and dad both work long hours with mom being the primary parent to attend conferences as well as being the disciplinarian. Gwen’s parents are...
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...emotional base. Link this explanation to Bowlby’s attachment theory and Ainsworth’s studies. You will need to show an understanding of the internal working model of attachment and how sensitive mothering impacts on the quality of attachment. (25) - Outline Bowlby’s theory of attachment, showing evidence of how the ethological studies of Harlow and Lorenz, and his own research with war orphans and evacuees and juvenile delinquents impacted his theory. - Determine the phases of attachment and the development of the internal working model of attachment. - Consider Ainsworth’s research and the types of secure and insecure attachments that resulted from the research. - This needs to be linked back to mothering style and the internal working model of attachment that each infant is developing. Links also need to be made to Erikson’s relevant psychological stages of personality development, emphasising the importance of a supportive social environment. (15) - Consider Erikson’s psychosocial theory of personality, especially the first stage, and link to mothering style and the internal working model of attachment that each infant is developing. Consider research that determines how early attachment impacts on the social and emotional development of three to five year olds and adults. (20) - Look at research undertaken with 3-5 year olds and how early attachment impacts social interactions, and also the adult attachment...
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...Influence of Early Life Experiences on Anxiety disorders Anxiety disorder is a mental health description for all forms of uneasiness, excessive worry,and phobias of life events. Such fears can based on events that happened or just imagination and it affects the physical well-being of a person. Different studies have shown that anxiety disorders in different family members overlap. This may be due to the factors experienced while growing up, family factors and genetic transmission. A Childs needs and issues are diverse but a general assessment would indicate that all early experiences can lead to psychological problems. For example, a need to over-achieve, an anxiety disorder of a generalized nature or dysthymic disorder (mood disorder characterized by chronic depression). Such disorders can be traced to a long standing inability to derive satisfaction from one’s life alongside the family issues that worry people, the expectations from the society that leave one apprehensive and a person’s coping strategies which mostly are maladaptive (Corey, 2012). The details do not present a clear diagnosis as to anxiety disorder’s root cause in many cases, hence the need to be cautious when deciding on a therapeutic course of action. Everyone’s unique experiences bring up psychosocial challenges which may become the main focus of the clinical therapies. People may experience phase-of-life issues; present parent-child problems while at the same time having partner...
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...Longitudinal study of children who had spent their early childhood in institutional care and, consequently, had been unable to form attachments (Hodges and Tizard, 1989): Aim... To investigate the long-term effects of early institutional care. Method... Longitudinal study and natural experiment. Children aged younger than 4 months at start. Received good physical care but formation of attachments was discouraged. Some children stayed in the institution, others were adopted and some returned (restored) to their families. Results... Aged 16, relationships between adopted children and parents did not differ much from a control group of non-adopted families but were considerably better bonded than restored children and parents. Unlike non-adopted children, adopted and restored children had similar problems in forming relationships outside the family. Conclusions... * Adopted children form better relationships with their families than restored children (possibly owing to the greater desire of the adopting parents to make those relationships work). * Adopted and restored children experience problems forming relationships outside the home (possibly owing to low self-esteem or poor emotional development caused by early experiences). Evaluation... * A wide variation in relaionship formation meant that some adopted children did badly and some restored children did well. This means that individual differences are important factors. A biased sample was left at the...
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...A LITERATURE REVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF EARLY YEARS PROVISION ON YOUNG CHILDREN, WITH EMPHASIS GIVEN TO CHILDREN FROM DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS Edward C. Melhuish Institute for the Study of Children, Families & Social Issues Birkbeck, University of London Prepared for the National Audit Office The views expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of the National Audit Office. Address of author Institute for the Study of Children, Families & Social Issues 7 Bedford Square London WC1B 3RA Email: e.melhuish@bbk.ac.uk Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 1. Introduction 1.1. The context of childcare research 1.2 Types of childcare and pre-school provision 1.3 Evidence on developmental effects 1.4 Structure of report 7 7 8 10 10 2. Childcare as intervention 2.1 Research methodology 2.2 Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) 2.2.1 Ypsilanti/High Scope/Perry Pre-school Study 2.2.2 Abecedarian Project 2.2.3 Project CARE 2.2.4 Milwaukee Project 2.2.5 Infant Health and Development Program (IHDP) 2.2.6 Early Head Start (EHS) 2.2.7 Hackney study Table 1: Summary of Randomised Control Trials of Interventions 2.3 Quasi-experimental Studies 2.3.1 Head Start 2.3.2 Chicago Child – Parent Center Program 2.3.3 Syracuse Study 2.3.4 Brookline Early Education Project 2.3.5 Diverse State-based programmes in the US 2.3.6 Meta-analyses and reviews Table 2: Summary of Quasi-experimental Evaluations of Interventions 2.3.7 Summary...
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...Hetherington (2006) explains that middle childhood, from 6 to 12 years of age, is frequently recognized as the ‘forgotten years’ of development because most research is focussed on early childhood development or adolescent growth. Throughout middle childhood the opportunity for growth of the social, emotional, physical and cognitive centres is vastly anticipated. Over the course of this time, the brain is performing synaptic refinement and this constantly becoming more efficient although this is greatly dependent upon the environment the child is in. Within this discovery, the pathway is created for the optimisation of experiences that are necessary for the child to give themselves strong building blocks to adulthood. It is pivotal for nurses to have a clear comprehension of human development and behaviour, because each person is a creation of a number of various influential factors. In this essay, normal growth and development in middle childhood will be discussed using examples from influential developmental theorists. According to experts, the life span perspective of human development involves three key developmental domains (Hernandez, 2008). These are the physical domain, the cognitive domain, and the social domain. The physical domain deals with the physical changes that a person goes through. For example, height, shape changes, weight fluctuations, and puberty can all be described as changes that happen in the physical domain. Thinking, the decision making...
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...Child Development: Early Childhood Shaniela Jarrett DEP2004 Child Development: Early Childhood From the immediate beginning of every human beings life they develop in one way or another. The beginning of a human beings development and all its aspects starts with infancy and progresses for the duration of one’s life span. Toddlers and young children are thought to be influenced by their everyday surroundings. An adolescent’s cognitive and social aspects of development are formed and shaped from an early age, along with their perception, language, motor skills, and speech. A young adolescent’s lifecycle is heavy influenced by the involvement of their parents and family members, this is crucial to a young child’s life. Once an adolescent becomes of age to attend school, they will also start to adjust to the atmosphere of the school they are attending as well as the instructive setting in the school; this will also play a role in an adolescent’s cognitive development and social skills. The body’s growth in the first couple years of early childhood stage with attenuate into a slower growth pattern. A child adds approximately 2 to 3 inches in stature and around 5 pounds in weight each year, girls will be slightly smaller than boys. From Infancy to Early childhood, one with experience skeletal growth, between the ages of 2 and 6 will grow approximately 45 new pineal, where cartilage will strengthen forming various parts of the skeletons. Children start losing their primary tooth...
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...In a study of children attending summer camp at age 10, Sroufe, Egeland, Carlson, and Collins (2005) found that securely attached children tended to have more friends and better social skills. Likewise, in a cross-sectional study using self-report data, 15-18- year-olds with good parental attachment had better social skills and, subsequently, better competence in developing friendships and romantic relationships (Engles, Finkenauer, Meeus, & Dekovic, 2005). Ainsworth found that the anxious-ambivalently attached are especially at-risk for later behavioral problems, including aggressive conduct. These data suggested it is vital for the one-third of children who do not develop a secure attachment as infants be provided opportunities to repair the original attachment relationship or construct some form of attachment outside the home, perhaps through interaction with a teacher or mentor. This paper will “BRIEFLY DESCRIBE HOW PARENTS AND TEACHERS CAN HELP TEACH SOCIAL COMPETENCE”. Erikson (1950) provided another important theory related to social competence; his psychosocial theory of personality development emphasized the interplay between the social and emotional domains. Erikson highlighted the importance of the person resolving a series of conflicts where interpersonal relationships play an important role. In infancy, the conflict is Trust versus Mistrust. Erikson hypothesized that an infant will develop trust through interaction with a warm, available, and responsive caregiver...
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...This essay will cover the impact Sensitive Mothering (Ainsworth in Smith, Cowie & Blades, 2003) has on child development, and its relevance in building a positive connection between mother and child. I will examine Bowlby’s attachment theory (Bowlby, 1988), Ainsworth’s research, Erikson’s psychological stages of personality development (Erikson in Stevens, 1983) and other relevant research to understand the role of sensitive mothering in developing essential emotional and social skills of three to five year olds and adults. Sensitive mothering (Ainsworth in Smith, Cowie & Blades, 2003) refers to the quality of the interactions between a mother/primary carer and a child. A sensitive mother is very connected and responsive to her baby’s signals, interpreting them correctly (Ainsworth in Smith, Cowie & Blades, 2003). Her show an emotional and physical availability for the child, positive communication, cooperation and stimulation of the child (Macleod-Brudenell & Kay, 2008). Insensitive mothering (Ainsworth in Sylva & Lunt, 1989) on the other hand, is characterized by the mother’s tendency to control the baby’s environment (Ainsworth in Sylva & Lunt, 1989). The insensitive mother is self-centred and sees the ways of the baby from her own perspective (Ainsworth in Sylva & Lunt, 1989). She interprets the child’s signals according to her own wishes, defenses or doesn’t respond to them at all (Ainsworth in Sylva & Lunt, 1989). (Ainsworth in Sylva & Lunt, 1989) found that Children...
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