Photo AI
Jekaterina works as a child psychologist in a local health centre - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 13 - 2022 - Paper 2
Question 13
Jekaterina works as a child psychologist in a local health centre. She observes that most of the children she works with form an emotional bond with their parents. M... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Jekaterina works as a child psychologist in a local health centre - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 13 - 2022 - Paper 2
Step 1
Discuss Bowlby’s work on attachment
Answer
Bowlby stated that children have an innate need to form an attachment with one person who is the main caregiver. This attachment is crucial as it serves as a secure base for children to explore their environment. When children have a strong attachment, they display confidence in exploring their surroundings, knowing that the caregiver will provide safety and security.
If an attachment is disrupted during the critical period of development, it can lead to long-term adverse effects, including emotional and behavioral issues, such as delinquency. Bowlby also emphasized that separation anxiety occurs when a child is not with the attachment figure, acting as a survival mechanism to ensure the child is not left alone for too long.
Step 2
Relate Bowlby’s theory to Jekaterina’s observations (AO2)
Answer
Most of the children at Jekaterina’s health centre demonstrate emotional bonds with their parents, fulfilling Bowlby’s idea of an innate need for attachment. The parent functions as a secure base, allowing children to explore the toys in the practice room, as they feel a sense of security.
However, the five-year-old child who often hits others might be experiencing difficulties due to an attachment disruption. Since the child's mother returned to work when the child was only three months old, this could have impacted the formation of a secure attachment. As a result, the child may exhibit aggressive behaviors—possibly a sign of unresolved separation anxiety.
Furthermore, Jekaterina’s observations indicate that children who cry when their parents are absent are demonstrating separation anxiety, confirming Bowlby’s assertion about the significance of the attachment figure in a child's emotional development.