Caregiver: Infant Interactions in Humans (OCR A-Level Psychology): Revision Notes

3.1.1 Caregiver: Infant Interactions in Humans

Attachment = A strong, lasting emotional bond formed between a baby and their main caregiver.

• Forms between two individuals who see each other as essential for emotional security (E.g., baby and primary caregiver)

Attachment behaviours:

• Separation anxiety - When children become distressed when they are separated from their attachment figure
• Safe base behaviour - When children treat their caregiver as someone they can quickly return to whenever they're scared or anxious
• Stranger anxiety - When children display distress in the presence of unfamiliar people and instead prefer the company of their attachment figure