HDFS 225 Lifespan Human Development

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HDFS 225 Lifespan Human Development
Attachment Assignment
Late assignments are not accepted according to the late assignment policy
The purpose of this assignment is to have you explore the relationships between attachment and Erikson’s
theory of psychosocial development. For this assignment, you will read the article by Pittman, Keiley,
Kerpelmen, & Vaughn (2011) (posted on D2L), and summarize and connect ideas from the article, and reflect
on your own attachment and development. This assignment is worth 55 points. Points will be awarded
according to:
 How well you followed the instructions.
 Evidence that you read and understood the article (i.e., using your own words as much as possible).
 Depth and thoughtfulness of responses.
Part 1: The Purpose and Formation of Secure Base Attachment (26 pts total)
For this part of the assignment, refer to the Attachment Across the Life Span section of the article. Simply write
(in your own words) your responses to the items below in the space provided after each item.
 (3 pts) What is meant by secure base attachment, and how is it developed in early childhood?
Securing base attachment means ensuring to guide the exploration and the quest for proximity of the
person in connection with the attachment in normal situations as well as in emergencies In early
childhood, it is built in daily regular interactions between the infant and the attachment figure over the
days, weekdays and months of the first few years of existence.
 (3 pts) Why is attachment important?
Attachment encourages children to discover, learn and communicate, and to gain well-being, encouragement
and opportunity.
 (12 pts) In the table below, identify and describe the patterns of attachment in early childhood and how
attachment figure behaviors (usually the mother) influence the development of these patterns. In other
words, describe each attachment pattern of early childhood. Also, describe the types of behaviors that
mothers (or other attachment figures) might exhibit that contribute to the attachment patterns.
Identify the Patterns of
Attachment in Early Childhood
Describe the Child Behaviors
Associated with the Attachment
Patterns
Describe the Attachment
Figure Behaviors (usually a
parent) Associated with the
Attachment Patterns
1. Secure Attachments Ability to separate from parents or
adult care givers, Seeking the
comfort from the parents or adult
caregivers when frightened, Prefers
parents over any adult strangers
Trusting and lasting relations,
good self esteem, comfortable
sharing of feeling with friends
and parents
2. Insecure Attachments Anxious resistant, the bond is
contaminated with fear, mixed
emotions, rejection
Insecure relations, frustration,
anger, unmet attchments
3. Avoid Attachments Introvert. Lack of proper
communication and silent
Negligence and short
communication, disinterested
to take responsibilities

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4. Resistant Attachments Exaggerated expressions of
attachment needs Reluctance to explore
environment, attention
 (8 pts) In the space below, use Bartholomew’s Model (discussed in the article) to identify the patterns of
attachment in late adolescence/early adulthood, and describe the types of relationship attachment behaviors
exhibited for each pattern (as described on pp. 35-36).
1. Name and describe Bartholomew’s pattern for the group with low anxiety & low avoidance:
The description for low anxiety and low avoidance includes “secure” approach. This is comfortable with
autonomy and intimacy in closed relationships. It also includes self confidence traits.
2. Name and describe Bartholomew’s pattern for the group with low anxiety & high avoidance:
The description for low anxiety and high avoidance includes “dismissing” approach. The traits include
compulsive, self reliance as well as intention towards downplay of the importance of the intimate relations.
3. Name and describe Bartholomew’s pattern for the group with high anxiety & low avoidance:
The description for high anxiety and low avoidance includes “preoccupied” approach. This pattern is generally
preoccupied with the close relations. The traits include dependency on others, self worth, demanding approach,
orientation towards others and more.
4. Name and describe Bartholomew’s pattern for the group with high anxiety & high avoidance:
The description for high anxiety and high avoidance includes “fearful” approach. The traits include depending
over others, avoiding intimacy due to the fear of being rejected, lower level of self esteem and higher rate of
anxiety attachment.
Part 2: Erikson’s Developmental Framework (17 pts total)
For this part of the assignment, refer to the Erikson’s Developmental Framework section of the article. Simply
write (in your own words) your responses to the items below in the space provided after each item.
 (3 pts) Discuss the importance of the quality of the caregiver-child relationship in the first four stages of
Erikson’s stages. In other words, why is the quality of this relationship so important for the four early
stages? In your response you might consider and discuss the importance of exploration and engagement
for healthy development.
The first four stages of the development framework by Erikson includes “trust vs mistrust, autonomy vs
doubt and shame, guilt vs initiative and inferiority vs industry”. Quality of the relationship among child
and care giver is essential for the development of series of stages.
 (3 pts) Identity is a very complex concept. From your perspective, which definition discussed in the
article is the most helpful to understanding the process of identity formation?