Brain Architecture
Fatty myelin cells form around dendritic axons, insulating them like plastic coating on electrical wires
myelin formation/myelination
Type of caregiving protective against toxic stress
Responsive caregiving
Gold standard measurement of adult attachment
AAI
Child attachment style associated with adult Dismissing
Avoidant
Child above average cognitive abilities/intelligence
Child protective factor
Prolonged stress causes disruptions in this system
HPA axis
Child risk factor
•Prematurity, low birth weight (<5 pounds, 8 ounces)
•Child genetic syndromes
•Child exposure to toxins or substances in utero
•Child chronic or serious illness
•Child temperament: difficult or slow to warm up
•Child developmental delay/low cognitive abilities (intelligence)
•Child exposure to potentially traumatic event
Antisocial peer group
Comfortable discussing both positive and negative aspects of relationships with caregivers
Autonomous/secure
Caregiving behavior associated with Autonomous
Nurturing
Adequate housing
Social/Environmental Protective Factor
Streamlines circuits by removing unnecessary connections, enhancing efficiency
Synaptic pruning
Stress such as First day with a new caregiver or Receiving an injected immunization
Positive Stress
Minimizes the importance of attachment relationships; May idealize caregivers excessively or downplay negative experiences
Dismissing
Caregiving behavior associated with Dismissing
Rejecting
Parental modeling of competence and good coping skills
Parental/Family protective factor
“Wiring” process that occurs when neurons and groups of neurons connect by sending out dendritic axons (long nerve fibers)
Synaptogenesis
If the activation is time-limited and buffered by relationships with adults who help the child adapt, the brain and other organs recover from what might otherwise be damaging effects
Tolerable Stress
Enmeshed with past attachment experiences; Often describe attachment-related memories in excessive detail and become lost or confused on the discourse context
Preoccupied
Caregiving behavior associated with Preoccupied
Inconsistent
Support/involvement of extended family, including help with caregiving
Parent/family protective factor
Term to describe how human brain can change over the years
Plasticity
Prolonged activation of the stress response systems leading to long-term difficulties
Toxic stress
Inconsistent and unresolved narratives about their attachment experiences; Lapses in the monitoring of reasoning or discourse during discussions
Unresolved
Caregiving behavior associated with Unresolved
Frightened or Frightening
Family religious faith and participation
Social/Environmental Protective Factor