Deck 9: Case Studies 15-16 Abraham Maslow: Contributions

Question 1

Application Questions
Using Bowlby and Ainsworth's attachment theory explain Angela's and Justin's behavior by answering the following questions.
According to attachment theory, how does childhood attachment style influence adult attachment style and adult relationships?

Answer 1

The relationships that small children develop with their caregivers, most likely their parents, and especially their mothers, serves as a model for future relationships.Those who had secure relationships with their caregivers will develop healthy, secure adult relationships.Those who had insecure relationships are likely to develop unhealthy, i.e., avoidant or ambivalent, relationships with others as adults.

Question 2

Application Questions
Using Bowlby and Ainsworth's attachment theory explain Angela's and Justin's behavior by answering the following questions.
According to Bowlby and Ainsworth, what is the cause of Justin's maladjusted attachment style? What influenced the development of Angela's attachment style?

Answer 2

Justin's parents are described as cold and distant.Most likely they interacted with Justin this way even when he was a child.Because of their behavior, Justin was unable to develop a secure attachment to them as a child.Instead, he probably developed an ambivalent attachment to his parents, which carried into his adult relationships.Angela's secure attachment is most likely due to her parents providing a warm nurturing environment during her childhood.Her secure attachment in childhood led to secure adult relationships.

Question 3

What does attachment theory say about the relationship between early childhood attachment style and later adult relationships? Predict what David's and Chelsea's adult relationships will be like based upon the descriptions of their attachment style.

Answer 3

The relationships that small children develop with their caregivers, most likely their parents, and especially their mothers, serves as a model for future relationships.Those who have secure relationships with their caregivers will develop healthy, secure adult relationships.Those who had insecure relationships are likely to develop unhealthy, i.e., avoidant or ambivalent, relationships with others as adults.Therefore, David will most likely develop healthy adult relationships but Chelsea will most likely develop adult relationships that could be described as anxious/ambivalent.She might worry that her friends/partner do not really love or like her.She will probably be described as clingy and demanding in relationships.

Question 4

Application Questions

Using Bowlby and Ainsworth's attachment theory explain David's and Chelsea's behavior by answering the following questions.
According to Bowlby and Ainsworth, why are David's and Chelsea's attachment styles different?

Question 5

Application Questions

Using Bowlby and Ainsworth's attachment theory explain David's and Chelsea's behavior by answering the following questions.
According to Bowlby and Ainsworth, what type of attachment style does David display? Chelsea? Explain.

Question 6

Application Questions
Using Bowlby and Ainsworth's attachment theory explain Angela's and Justin's behavior by answering the following questions.
According to Bowlby and Ainsworth, what type of adult attachment style does Justin appear to have? Angela? Explain.

Question 7

How do attachment theories compare to object relations theories?

Question 8

What are the three stages of separation anxiety according to Bowlby? In which stage is Chelsea when she cannot be comforted by the daycare staff after her mother leaves her?

Question 9

How does Bowlby and Ainsworth's theory compare to evolutionary psychological perspectives? How can it be seen as evolutionary psychology?

Question 10

Describe Ainsworth's strange situation.What does it measure? If a researcher were to study David's and Chelsea's reactions in Ainsworth's strange situation, what type of observations would s/he be likely to make?

Question 11

How could behaviorism explain the differences in David's and Chelsea's attachment styles?