Question 1: Define the term 'attachment' as used in developmental psychology.

Answer: Attachment is an emotional bond that develops between a child and their primary caregiver, which provides comfort and security.

Question 2: Describe the key characteristics of the pre-attachment phase in infants, typically from birth to around 6 weeks.

Answer: In this phase, infants show general signals of attachment such as crying and smiling, but do not yet show specific preferences for particular caregivers.

Question 3: Explain what is meant by 'attachment-in-the-making' and at approximately what age it occurs.

Answer: Attachment-in-the-making refers to the stage where infants begin to develop a preference for familiar caregivers and start to respond more positively to them, typically occurring between 6 weeks and 6 months.

Question 4: Identify and describe the main behaviors that characterize the 'clear-cut attachment' stage.

Answer: In this stage, around 6 months to 2 years, children exhibit behaviors such as separation anxiety, seeking proximity, and showing distress when separated from their primary caregiver.

Question 5: Explain the significance of the 'secure base' concept in the context of attachment stages.

Answer: A secure base is the caregiver from which the child feels safe enough to explore their environment, enabling healthy emotional and social development.

Question 6: Describe one research method that could be used to observe attachment behaviors in infants and explain its purpose.

Answer: The Strange Situation Procedure involves observing an infant's reactions to separations and reunions with their caregiver to assess attachment type and behaviors.

Question 7: Imagine you are asked to sketch a diagram illustrating the progression of attachment stages in a timeline. Draw a simple timeline with four key stages labeled: pre-attachment, attachment-in-the-making, clear-cut attachment, and reciprocal relationship.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a horizontal line with four points labeled in chronological order: 0-6 weeks (pre-attachment), 6 weeks-6 months (attachment-in-the-making), 6 months-2 years (clear-cut attachment), and 2 years onwards (reciprocal relationship). The diagram should clearly mark the approximate age ranges and stage names.

Question 8: Discuss one potential factor that might influence the development of attachment stages in infants.

Answer: One factor is the consistency and responsiveness of the caregiver, which can promote secure attachment by making the infant feel safe and understood.