Peter is 6 years old - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 13 - 2021 - Paper 2

Peter may be exhibiting signs of autism, which is a developmental disorder that occurs more frequently in boys than in girls. Research, such as the EPPE study (2004), indicates that good quality daycare can foster children's social development. Therefore, Peter's limited social interactions, primarily with his mother, may hinder his ability to develop essential communication skills.

A sensitive and responsive mother usually enables a child to form secure attachments. However, Peter’s mother’s struggle to balance her responsibilities might have contributed to a less conducive environment for Peter’s emotional and social growth, as deprivation of an attachment figure can lead to negative effects on a child’s internal working model.

Additionally, Peter was left to cry at times, which might impact his emotional security, making him less likely to engage with peers effectively at school. His challenging hospital experience at the age of 2 could have disrupted his attachment to his mother, exacerbating feelings of insecurity and contributing to difficulties in interaction with other children, as he may not fully understand their perspectives.