The KISS Principle in Operation

Oh dear, it's decision time for me!  Will it be a separate blog for the Combi ladies with new pages and a complicated linking system with blogs all over the place?  


Or perhaps I can just make two posts on the same day and let you read what you find most useful.  Or enjoyable.  Or whatever. The KISS Principle says "Combi class Assignment 6 - one post.  Main Course - Key Studies Assignments - another post.


The KISS principle won!  Jeff listens to his own advice!  So here is:

Just step back and look at the requirements of this assignment. You only need to concentrate on TWO of the topics. It’s your choice as to which two. But here are some pointers as to what is needed as a minimum to PASS the assignment.

First, a note about evaluation. Most of the resources you will be using have an evaluation section. You should start there. Evaluation should include (a) Is the research ‘good’ research (Oh how I detest value judgements!) in other words, does it show or demonstrate or explain what it sets out to do? (b) What doesn’t it do or explain? (c) Find some (at least one) empirical study or studies that support the research and (d) find some that either don’t support it or at least offer an alternative explanation.

Here's a bit of motivation for you.         

Bowlby’s monotropic theory.

Start by describing the theory. Hint – see the website! This is really about maternal deprivation. You have to evaluate the theory, and this implies that you should pose the question “What if attachment to mother is broken for some reason?” How might mental health be affected? So deal with the 44 thieves research, and evaluate it. That’s the minimum for this section. You might be so interested that you can’t stop and want to discuss privation and deprivation generally, who am I to criticise?

Harlow and Zimmerman.

This is one of several pieces of research published by Harlow and one or more of his colleagues. Basically, it’s Harlow and his rhesus monkeys. Describe the research in terms of aim – method – results – conclusion. Include evidence of strength of attachment, however distasteful you may feel about it. In fact, a brief evaluation of the ethics in Harlow’s research would not go un-noticed! But don’t forget there were two parts to Harlow’s research. Not only was there the investigation of ‘cupboard love’ theory, but also the effect of returning the subject monkeys to the rest of the herd. And make sure you evaluate. See the book page 65.

Schaffer and Emerson

Phases of attachment based on the longitudinal study of 60 Glasgow families. Nuff said.

Ainsworth and Bell.

Sensitive responsiveness and the strange situation. Types of attachment. Loads of opportunity for evaluation here. The really ambitious ones among you will go on to discuss the cross-cultural element. Often a long answer to this part, but if you are interested you can easily get carried away. I don’t mind, and again, it won’t go un-noticed!

If you find a connection between the two you are writing about, then mention it. For example, the strange situation relies on a characteristic of attachment described by Schaffer and Emerson...

By this time you are probably feeling like this:

Well, cheer up!  If you are reading this at the start of the holidays, you've got ages to think about it.  On the other hand, if it's due in tomorrow...