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The Ethological Perspective
Ethologists argue that gender differences are affected by evolved predispositions
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Etho's say females have
an innate preference for objects that afford opportunities for nurturance
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Etho's say males have
an innate preference for objects that invite movement
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The Biological Model
Urie Brotenbrenner; Looks at the child's environment as a series of rested structures (embedded levels), each level having an impact on development
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The 5 levels of the Biological Model
microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosytstem
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microsystem
the immediate, bidirectional environment that a person experiences; family, school, neighborhood
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mesosystem
connections among various microsystems
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exosystem
environmental settings the person doesn't experience; can affect the person directly; parents' workplace, extended family
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macrosystem
larger cultural context within which the other systems are embedded; laws, culture, social class, subculture
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chronosystem
consists of historical changes that influence the other systems; change in person or environment over time
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What is attachment?
a close emotional bond/affectionate tie to parents or other primary caregivers/special people (Harry Harlow)
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Harry Harlow's research on attachment
monkeys reared in isolation exhibited social disturbances, rocked, bite themselves; discovered "contact warmth," not feeding, play a major role in bonding process (cloth mother vs wire mother)
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Research on monkeys reared in isolation supported the view that:
children's healthy social and emotional development is routed in early social interactions with adults
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Bowlby's attachment theory
John Bowlby proposed an attachment theory; influenced by ethological theory, posits that children are biologically predisposed to develop attachments w/ caregivers; increases chances of their own survival (phases of attachment)
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secure base
presence of attachment figure provides an infant or toddler with a sense of security; makes it possible for them to explore the environment
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Phases of attachment
preattachment phase, attachment in the making phase, clear cut attachment phase, and reciprocal relationships
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Pre-attachment phase
birth-6wks; before infants bond perceptual skills are not keen; proximity promoting behavior (smiling, crying, grasping)
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Attachment in the making phase
6wks to 6-8mths; infants respond preferentially to familiar people; smile, laugh or babble more toward primary caregiver; still see proximity promoting behaviors; don't protest when separated from primary caregiver
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clear cut attachment phase
6-8mths-1.5yrs; seek contact w/ regular caregivers; cling more to that person than other people; engage in proximity seeking behavior; fear of separation from primary caregiver; stranger anxiety
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stranger anxiety
primary caregiver serves as a secure base for exploration
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Reciprocal relationships (goal corrected partnership phase)
1.5-2yrs on; start to understand parents' feelings, goals and motives; tries to exhibit influence over the behavior of the caregiver; separation distress declines
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Ainsworth's Research
worked with John Bowlby and extended his theory; looked at the quality of infant's attachment; two key measures; studied attachment btwn 1-2yrs using "Strange situation"
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Two key measures that provide insight in infant's attachment quality
1. use of primary caregiver as a secure base; 2. how infant reacts to brief separations and reunions with the caregiver
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Three (4) patterns of insecure attachment (Ainsworth)
securely attached; insecurely attached - resistant or ambivalent; insecurely attached - avoidant; (disorganized/disoriented)
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securely attached
used mother as a secure base to explore the room; somewhat distressed when mother leaves the room (may or may not cry); makes it clear they glad to see her on her return; 62-68% US middle class children
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insecurely attached - resistant or ambivalent
often clingy in the beginning; stay close to mother instead of exploring; upset when mom leaves room and not readily comforted by stranger; seem to remain upset and angry when mom returns, resists her efforts of comfort; 15% US middle class children
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insecurely attached - avoidant
seem indifferent toward the caregiver; tend to avoid mother; don't greet her during reunions; ignore and turn away from her when she is in the room; seem indifferent when mom leaves; if upset stranger can comfort them easily; 20% US middle class children
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Disorganized/disoriented (4th type of attachment)
small group that didn't fit any of the categories; no consistent way of dealing w/ stress or strange situations; appear dazed or disoriented; may freeze in their behavior and remain still for a substantial period; want to approach mother but also regard as a source of fear to withdraw from
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Chess and Thomas
Thought Ainsworth was assessing temperament, not attachment; 3 types of temperament
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Chess and Thomas's 3 types of temperament
easy, difficult, slow to warm up
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Easy
adjust readily to new situations; establish daily routines (sleeping, eating); generally cheerful
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difficult
slow to adjust to new situations; react negatively to new stimuli and events; irregular routines
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Slow to warm up
somewhat difficult at first; become easier over time with repeated contact with new objects and people
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