Child Developmental
PYC4805
Student Number: 61117145
Unique Number: 549889
Due Date: 17 May 2021
0|Page
,PLAGIARISM DECLARATION
1. I know that plagiarism means taking and using the ideas, writings, works or inventions of
another as
if they were one’s own. I know that plagiarism not only includes verbatim copying, but also the
extensive use of another person’s ideas without proper acknowledgement (which includes the
proper use of quotation marks). I know that plagiarism covers the use of material found in textual
sources and from the Internet.
2. I acknowledge and understand that plagiarism is wrong.
3. I understand that my assignment must be accurately referenced.
4. This research proposal is my own work. I acknowledge that copying someone else’s research,
or
part of it, is wrong, and that submitting identical work to others constitutes a form of plagiarism.
5. I have not allowed, nor will I in the future allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention
of
passing it off as their own work.
6. I confirm that I have read and understood UNISA’s Policy for Copyright and Plagiarism -
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Master%27s-&-
doctoraldegrees/
Policies, -procedures-&-forms
Signed by: student Student number: 61117145
Date: 17 May 2021
1|Page
,Table of Contents
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 3
2. The development of attachment during infancy. ................................................................................. 3
2.1. Stages of attachment and milestones according to Bowlby............................................................. 3
3. Attachment styles. ................................................................................................................................ 4
4. Competencies. ...................................................................................................................................... 4
5. Gibson’s’ differentiation theory............................................................................................................ 5
6. Attachments and social relationships. .................................................................................................. 6
7. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 6
8. Reference list ........................................................................................................................................ 7
2|Page
, 1. Introduction
The following essay will be discussing the development of attachment during infancy, where the
attachment response, stages of attachment and milestones according to Bowlby will be discussed.
Furthermore, attachment styles will also be briefly named and discussed. The relation between
the development of attachments during infancy and competencies will be explained. The
different types of competencies and its responses will be included in the essay. The essay will go
on to discuss how attachment milestones may have an impact on the infant’s first relationship.
“The quality of attachment during infancy lays the foundation for health development in a
variety of realms” (Belsky, 2018, p.114).
2. The development of attachment during infancy.
According to Belsky (2018), attachment can be defined as the bond of two individuals, in this
case between the infant and the caregiver (mother).
A European psychoanalyst name John Bowlby, strongly believes that attachment is a basic
human need. He furthermore stated that attachment response is visible in a crucial stage of life. It
genetic and is a natural way of survival (Belsky, 2018).
2.1.Stages of attachment and milestones according to Bowlby.
- Pre- attachment phase: this occurs in the early age of the first three months of the infant.
Bowlby states that the social smile occurs as a milestone and goes on to emphasize that
the smile does not represent a true attachment because an infant in the first three months
shows a response to any face they come across in contact with (Belsky, 2018).
- Attachment in the making: this phase occurs around about the fourth month of the
infant’s life. This is the stage where the Piaget’s environment- focused secondary
circular reaction unfolds. In other words, the infant becomes are of their environment
and object are them (Belsky, 2018)
- Clear cut (focused) attachment: Bowlby states that this is most important phase, which
usually happens between seven to eight months of the infant’s life. This is the phase
where motor skills are enhanced. The infant is able to crawl and stand-up using object
(e.g., a table). This is when the full-blown response develops, as they are able to notice
that their caregivers are not around. This is when the infant develops separation anxiety,
this is recognized as a milestone. The infant start to notice strangers or faces they are not
3|Page
PYC4805
Student Number: 61117145
Unique Number: 549889
Due Date: 17 May 2021
0|Page
,PLAGIARISM DECLARATION
1. I know that plagiarism means taking and using the ideas, writings, works or inventions of
another as
if they were one’s own. I know that plagiarism not only includes verbatim copying, but also the
extensive use of another person’s ideas without proper acknowledgement (which includes the
proper use of quotation marks). I know that plagiarism covers the use of material found in textual
sources and from the Internet.
2. I acknowledge and understand that plagiarism is wrong.
3. I understand that my assignment must be accurately referenced.
4. This research proposal is my own work. I acknowledge that copying someone else’s research,
or
part of it, is wrong, and that submitting identical work to others constitutes a form of plagiarism.
5. I have not allowed, nor will I in the future allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention
of
passing it off as their own work.
6. I confirm that I have read and understood UNISA’s Policy for Copyright and Plagiarism -
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Master%27s-&-
doctoraldegrees/
Policies, -procedures-&-forms
Signed by: student Student number: 61117145
Date: 17 May 2021
1|Page
,Table of Contents
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 3
2. The development of attachment during infancy. ................................................................................. 3
2.1. Stages of attachment and milestones according to Bowlby............................................................. 3
3. Attachment styles. ................................................................................................................................ 4
4. Competencies. ...................................................................................................................................... 4
5. Gibson’s’ differentiation theory............................................................................................................ 5
6. Attachments and social relationships. .................................................................................................. 6
7. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 6
8. Reference list ........................................................................................................................................ 7
2|Page
, 1. Introduction
The following essay will be discussing the development of attachment during infancy, where the
attachment response, stages of attachment and milestones according to Bowlby will be discussed.
Furthermore, attachment styles will also be briefly named and discussed. The relation between
the development of attachments during infancy and competencies will be explained. The
different types of competencies and its responses will be included in the essay. The essay will go
on to discuss how attachment milestones may have an impact on the infant’s first relationship.
“The quality of attachment during infancy lays the foundation for health development in a
variety of realms” (Belsky, 2018, p.114).
2. The development of attachment during infancy.
According to Belsky (2018), attachment can be defined as the bond of two individuals, in this
case between the infant and the caregiver (mother).
A European psychoanalyst name John Bowlby, strongly believes that attachment is a basic
human need. He furthermore stated that attachment response is visible in a crucial stage of life. It
genetic and is a natural way of survival (Belsky, 2018).
2.1.Stages of attachment and milestones according to Bowlby.
- Pre- attachment phase: this occurs in the early age of the first three months of the infant.
Bowlby states that the social smile occurs as a milestone and goes on to emphasize that
the smile does not represent a true attachment because an infant in the first three months
shows a response to any face they come across in contact with (Belsky, 2018).
- Attachment in the making: this phase occurs around about the fourth month of the
infant’s life. This is the stage where the Piaget’s environment- focused secondary
circular reaction unfolds. In other words, the infant becomes are of their environment
and object are them (Belsky, 2018)
- Clear cut (focused) attachment: Bowlby states that this is most important phase, which
usually happens between seven to eight months of the infant’s life. This is the phase
where motor skills are enhanced. The infant is able to crawl and stand-up using object
(e.g., a table). This is when the full-blown response develops, as they are able to notice
that their caregivers are not around. This is when the infant develops separation anxiety,
this is recognized as a milestone. The infant start to notice strangers or faces they are not
3|Page
