Influences of attachment within the cognitive stage of development
The subject of human development from its earliest stages has continued to be an intriguing subject of research and discussion for many philosophers today,as a result of the long term psychological and physical effects experiences during this stage of development exact upon a human being. The attachment theory is one of the most popular in addition to pragmatic theories with regard to parenting styles. As a result of this veracity in this essay I will discuss the factors that affect attachment quality throughout the course of the infancy stage. This discussion will first begin with a brief definition behind the sociological term attachment. Followed by an embellishment regarding the various factors that impinge on attachment in the infancy stage of development. This symposium will then by concluded with my opinion with regard to this process.
What is attachment?
The expression attachment can be understood as the ever enduring poignant closeness which binds a family together in order to prepare children for independence in addition to the responsibilities of adult hood(Logan, 2007).The process of attachment provides children with a secure base necessary to explore, learn and relate to others in the social environment,this (Logan, 2007).Controversely,”infancy’’ also known as ‘‘early childhood’’ does however refer to the premature stage of child development where a human being is not only at their weakest and most vulnerable but almost completely dependent on others for protection, food and survival. Hence fourth as a result of these facts it is believed that the pattern of attachment between an infant and a caregiver is an erudite occurrence (Sinclair and Seligman, 1996). Consequently this results in many theorists debating whether the process of attachment is influenced by the concept of the“nature’’ or “nurture” regiment.Nonetheless regardless of these facts the most important aspect with regard to infancy attachment is the process of how infants learn to distress through observation of those they are closest attached too(Sinclair and Seligman, 1996). This process implies that the caregiver of an infant ultimately serves as the primary determent with regards to the eminence of the infant’s attachment (Logan 2007).
Parent Style
The first factor which has an effect upon attachment with regards to the infancy stage of development is however ‘parenting style’. Parenting style has a great impact on an infant’s behaviour; as a result caregivers who are consistently available, sensitive and receptive to signals of their infant’s distress tend to have children more attached to their parents (Aboutkidshealth.ca, 2017). Whilst on the other hand caregivers who are less responsive to their baby’s signs of distress tend to have infants who are less attached to their caregiver (Aboutkidshealth.ca, 2017). Inevitably a strong attachment results in the development of infants who rate higher on sensitivity, acceptance, cooperation in addition to emotional accessibility (Ainsworth et al., 2014). Conversely mothers of insecurely attached children display behaviours that range from emotional isolation from peers and family, stable interpersonal relationships in addition to a good self concept(Bowlby,1969).The type of attachment a chid forms with their caregiver does nonetheless have long term repercussions into many aspects of not only a Childs development but adult life(Mohrer, 1990).
Infant medical condition
The nature of a caregiver child liaison during infancy or toddlerhood is believed to be a centralised factor with regards to the development of a child’s personality and behaviour. Consequently the severity of a child’s medical condition ultimately plays a crucial role in regulating the potency of attachment between an infant and caregiver (Aboutkidshealth.ca, 2017). In addition to this veracity the number of living anxiety as well as the quantity of family adversity experienced during an infant’s development plays a critical role in the progression of an infant either physically or psychologically (Aboutkidshealth.ca, 2017). Children in high social risk environments who show early insecure attachments are significantly more likely to have stronger peer relationships, moodiness, depression and aggression in comparison to children who have showed early security (Puig et al., 2013). Infants or Toddlers with medical circumstances very often experience a very different life in comparison to that of healthy infants, as a result of the fact that medical difficulties play a imposing role upon not only the daily life of an infant but the attachment patterns between a caregiver (Puig et al., 2013).
Parental resources: Distal factors
According to many philosophers human beings in their infancy stage of development are organisms hardwired to develop strong emotional connections or attachments with their principal caregiver (Nievar and Becker 2008). Subsequently parental resources also known as proximal systems play a significant role in the everyday life of a developing infant. Parental distal factors also known as demographic factors do however consist of social, physical or material capital that affects the way a caregiver goes about parenting(Zeifman,2003). Nonetheless parents who are older, more mature, better educated and work in more intellectually stimulating jobs may have more resources available with regard to parenting which may affect an infant’s physical living environment (Ainsworth et al., 2014). This fact inevitably results in caregivers of a high income being better able to adapt to the challenges associated with raising an infant (Eshbaugh Luze, 2009 Nichd Eerin 2000).
Sensitivity
Parental sensitivity is an essential with factor with regard to the imminent growth and development of an infant. This process is however defined as a parent’s awareness of the infants state and aptitude to make suitable adjustments to this condition (Ainsworth, Bell and Slayton, 1974: Braungart Rieker, Garwood, Powers and Wang 2001).Nonetheless regardless of consistent results between sensitivity and attachment security, parent sensitivity is considered a proximal factor that has the ability to influence the attachment quality between a caregiver and a infant. The nature of parental sensitivity does however ultimately dictate the emotional responsiveness in addition to aptitude of a toddler. This process does however involve adapting emotional reactions to satisfy the demands and expectations of the surrounding environment (Burgess et al., 2003). Through this occurrence the relationship between an infant and care giver is regulated. However a care givers reaction to emotional regulation will in due course dictate the manner in which infants initially learn to distress and regulate stress responsiveness (Burgess et al., 2003).
Parental involvement
Parental involvement is a proximal factor felt by every single caregiver, it is one of the most common in a variety of interactions shared between a parent and an infant. Direct involvement can come in the form of basic care given to a child, which includes attending to the most basic of the human needs like the changing of diapers (Burgess et al., 2003). On the other hand play interaction can however also take place in parental involvement through talking or teaching an infant to manipulate a new toy (Lamb Pleck, Chamov and Levine 1987). The Frequency of a caregiver infant interaction provides parents with the opportunity to work on both the formation and maintenance of a parent-infant attachment relationship (Friedman and Boyle 2008).
Conclusion
Hence fourth in conclusion although the subject of infancy attachment remains an intriguing subject of research for many philosophers today through the creation of this essay it has become clear to that the skills and habits learned during this stage of development have a long lasting effect on every individual long into the course of adulthood. It is now understandable that in order for an individual to reach their optimum potential it is essential that every child has a caregiver receptive to their needs.
References
Ainsworth, M., Blehar, M., Waters, E. and Wall, S. (2014). Patterns of Attachment. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.
Aboutkidshealth.ca. (2017). Attachment Part Four: Caregiver and child influences on attachment — AboutKidsHealth. [online] Available at: http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/News/Series/Attachment/Pages/Attachment-Part-Four-Parent-and-child-influences-on-attachment.aspx [Accessed 6 Aug. 2017].
Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment and Loss. 2nd ed. New York: Basic Books, pp.10–35.
Burgess, K., Marshall, P., Rubin, K. and Fox, N. (2003). Infant attachment and temperament as predictors of subsequent externalizing problems and cardiac physiology. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 44(6), pp.819–831.
Logan, A. (2007). November Focus. British Journal of General Practice, 57(544), pp.858–858.
Mohrer, P. (1990). A Secure Base: Parent-Child Attachment and Healthy Human Development — by John Bowlby; New York, Basic Books, 1988, 224 pages, $16.95. Psychiatric Services, 41(6), pp.684-a-685.
Puig, J., Englund, M., Simpson, J. and Collins, W. (2013). Predicting adult physical illness from infant attachment: A prospective longitudinal study. Health Psychology, 32(4), pp.409–417.
Sinclair, T. and Seligman, N. (1996). Crop Modelling: From Infancy to Maturity. Agronomy Journal, 88(5), p.698.
