Psychology Question

Attachment and Child-Rearing Style
A key element of social-emotional development during infancy and toddlerhood is the establishment of bonds of attachment. A child’s temperament can influence the nature of attachment with caregivers. For instance, an infant’s difficult temperament might make it more likely that they will develop an insecure attachment to the caregiver. If caregivers receive sufficient social support, thereby establishing a “goodness of fit” between temperament and environment (i.e., caregiving), they can overcome some of the challenges of raising a difficult child.
While attachment appears to be a universal phenomenon, its expression depends upon cultural and environmental factors. Understanding cultural diversity in parenting practices and social norms is needed when developing interventions to promote healthy attachment. Cultural norms and practices (e.g., individualistic vs. collective cultures) can affect how attachment is expressed. For example, children raised in Western middle-class families form their primary attachments with adults (i.e., their parents). In contrast, children raised in traditional farming villages rely on an extended relational network: often, older children are the significant caregivers, with the mother serving specific functions such as nursing and carrying the child (Keller, 2018). As you review the Learning Resources, note the similarities and differences in attachment styles that are expressed in other cultures. Consider how these types of attachment can be adaptive given the environmental context in which they occur.

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