Question

Attachment is conceptualized as primarily an emotion-driven phenomenon. Why do you think this is? What do you know about the course of cognitive development versus emotional development that might predict an emotional basis of attachment? (Chapter 6)

Answer 1

1. Attachment an emotion driven process because the individual forms a connection with anyone who is the primary care giver for them. For infants, this is their mother. And attachment is referred to as an experience dependent situation. We can refer attachment to as emotional experience, since there is development of a bonding relationship with the caregiver, and bonding is an essential element of emotional connection. There develops a predictable interaction between the individual and the caregiver.

2. Cognitive development vs emotional developments leading to attachment

Attachment is an emotional response that is responsible in connecting one person to the other. Though, attachment may not always be a reciprocal phenomena. Attachment generally arises with a person when they are in the most emotionally vulnerable state. The theory of attachment was given by John Bowlby, and his work was on emotionally disturbed kids. For example, as a child grows up, the higher care he receives from his parents, the more is his attachment. The is a very strong pattern development in which by the first 9 months the child only has specific attachment with the caregiver or mother in this case, but from the age of 9 months and onwards, there is development of multiple attachment. Attachment has also been known to be innate and as suggested by Lorenz, is a genetically programmed process. This process is known as imprinting and has been suggested by Lorna. It does not happen immediately, but once imprinting occurs it is non reversible. The theory of classical conditioning as well as operant conditioning, that occurs due to the comfort and attention observed rom the caregiver,