Application of Attachment Theory to Lars’ Relationships
Attachment theory is based on John Bowlby’s belief that humans are inclined to connect with others affectionately and use these connections as a safe place in time of stress or trouble (Sable, 2008). These attachments are primarily formed at birth with the primary caregiver, but can Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, pioneers in the theory suggest that the theory continues throughout the lifespan. Ainsworth suggests in the “Strange situation” that there are three attachment styles, namely secure, insecure ambivalent/resistant, and insecure avoidant (Sable, 2008).
Application of Attachment theory to Lars’ relationship with Bianca Insecure ambivalent attachment typically evolves as a response to needs not being met in an either timely or effective manner (Shilkret & Shilkret, 2011). According to Hazan and Shaver, Attachment of this style may express a desire to be close to the partner and anxiety about whether the partner wants to stay in the relationship (Hazan & Shaver, 1987). This attachment is evidenced in Lars relationship with Bianca through the pattern of clingy and dependent behaviors alternating with anger (Shilkret & Shilkret, 2011). Lars cut wood with Bianca watching, took Bianca to parties, took her to church, and took her on shopping trips, he spent the majority of his free time in her presence. Although Bianca is there for Lars in many instances, when she is absent at moments that he desires her, his anger is shown
Fraley (2002) completed a meta analysis of studies concerning attachment in order to investigate the level of attachment pattern’s continuity throughout life. The study indicated that there was a certain stability of the attachment pattern, and that the stability is independent of time. Even though it is theorized that a secure pattern will be likely to stay unchanged, it is still indicated that experiences such as bad relationships will be able to change the attachment pattern (Fraley,
Individuals that portray secure attachment styles tend to value relationships that provide trust, comfort, and availability. In contrast, individuals with insecure-avoidant or anxious- ambivalent styles of attachment tend to not be as capable of recognizing, acknowledging, or valuing secure-based relationships (Waters, 2004). Based off of Mary Mains work dealing with adult attachment, Bowlby went on to theorize that an individual’s self-concept and social interactions during childhood result in future development of different styles of attachment behaviors, known as continuity (Hazan et al., 1986). Li and Chen (2012) observed:
Attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space (Bowlby, 1969). Likewise, attachment theory is a psychological model that seeks to illustrate the dynamics of both long term and short- term interpersonal relationships (Waters, E.; Corcoran, D.; Anafarta, M. 2005). Additionally, attachment theory address how people respond within relationships when hurt, separated from loved ones, or when they perceive a threat (Waters et al., 2005). Attachment theory is the combined work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth (Bretherton, I. 1992, p. 1). The theory predominantly draws on the ideas from doctrines such as, ethology, cybernetics, information processing and developmental psychology (Bretherton, I. 1992, p. 1). It is considered that attachment theory has revolutionized the way society thinks about the relationship between the mother and her child and the importance of
In Derek’s parent attachment, he is highly anxious and uncertain causing him to have considerable amounts of turmoil upon separation. Based on Gouveia, Schulz, & Costa’s (2016) research, preoccupied attachment is portrayed by a positive perspective of others and a negative view of the self. Derek is most likely reluctant to become close to a significant other due to his fear of not being loved by his partner and a fear of losing them. Furthermore, Favez, Tissot, Ghisletta, Golay, & Notari (2016) discuss that highly anxious attachment is a repercussion due to unpredictable responses from the environment, leading to view themselves as unworthy and view others as adept and capable. In relation to Derek’s adult romantic attachment, he would have a lower sense of self-esteem and a higher dependency on his significant other. Additionally, Favez et al. (2016) describe anxious attachments to have a negative correlation with sexual satisfaction and self-esteem. Therefore, Derek’s adult romantic attachment may be not be completely satisfactory emotionally and
“a way of conceptualising the propensity of human beings to make strong affectional bonds to particular others and of explaining the many forms of emotional distress and personality disturbance, including anxiety, depression, and emotional detachment, to which unwilling separation and loss give rise” (Bowlby, 1984 p.27).
Attachment theory was originally proposed by Bowlby (1969) as an explanation of interpersonal relationships, with particular focus in his work on the parent-child relationships which are formed in early childhood. He noted that this was an evolutionary need within us as humans to form close attachments to improve our rate of survival (Bowlby, 1969). He later also theorized that these attachment styles would persist throughout life into adulthood (Bowlby, 1988). Further work on attachment theory by Bartholomew & Horowitz (1991) expanded on attachment styles and looked at the continuation of attachment style into adulthood. Using interviews with participants and the participants close friends they found evidence for four types of adult attachment styles: Secure, Preoccupied, Dismissing and Fearful (Bartholomew & Horowitz 1991). Further support for adult attachments styles is from Mikulincer & Shaver (2004) showing that attachments styles persist from childhood into adulthood demonstrating bowlby 's later hypothesis
All of this evidence suggests that parasocial relationships are comparable, if not exactly equivalent, to an individual’s real-life relationships. Consequently, one can see important implications for attachment theory, which describes characteristic patterns of interpersonal attachment among individuals. According to attachment theory, an individual’s interactions with others are influenced by the childhood relationship with his or her primary caregiver (Bowlby, 1969, 1973, 1980; Hazan & Shaver, 1987). Over time, these early experiences and interactions form “working models” of attachment, or cognitive representations of self and others, that revolve around the regulation and fulfillment of the infant’s needs. The end result is a characteristic
An infant with a secure attachment style has a natural bond with their parent, where they are able to trust them, at the same time leaving their side to discover and explore their surroundings. In an insecure/resistant attachment the relationship the child has with their mother or caregiver is very clingy, thus making them very upset once the caregiver is away. When the mother or caregiver is back they are not easily comforted and resist their effort in comforting them. In an insecure/avoidant attachment the infant is, “indifferent and seems to avoid the mother, they are as easily comforted by a stranger, as by their parent” (Siegler 2011, p.429). Lastly, the disorganized/disoriented attachment is another insecure attachment style in which the infant has no way of coping with stress making their behavior confusing or contradictory. Through these brief descriptions of the attachment theory, many researchers have defined the turning point in which each attachment definition can have an influence on one’s self esteem, well-being and their marital relationship.
From the 1960s to the 1980s psychologists have worked and developed a four-part attachment style for adults. These styles are related to how individuals see themselves, how they see others, and how they relate to the people who are special to them. The attachment styles are secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant.
New research does show that even though the primary attachments develops during infancy as a person grow the types of attachments could be altered with new types of attachments due to positive or negative life events. Secure attachment used to be the most common type of attachment among early people but with the new generation studies shows a decline in it and a small growth in avoidant and resistant attachment
The research shows that female adolescents who were victims of childhood abuse or neglect are more likely to engage in self-harming behaviour in the form of cutting (Spielhagen and Schwartz 2013) as this is the way they gain sense of control over their body and pain as their soothing and problem solving skills are underdeveloped. Patricia did not enjoy warm, engaged and connected relationship with her mother when she was an infant. As an infant and young child she was very often left to soothe herself. Attachment theory suggest that when carers are addicted to drugs and distance themselves from their child, they send the message to the child that the parent's needs are primary and that the child needs to care for himsel (Bettman 2006). Now,
Many psychologists have come and gone, and many different theoretical orientations have been developed. With each orientation has come a new perspective on development, behaviour and mental processes. Some are similar, yet others could not be more contradictory. Attachment is one such theoretical orientation, developed by John Bowlby out of his dissatisfaction with other existing theories. Although Bowlby rejected psychoanalytical explanations for early infant bonds, the theory of attachment was influenced in part by the principles of psychoanalysis; in particular the observations by Ana Freud and Dorothy Burlingham of young children separated from
Relationships are necessary throughout life and all relationships, be them romantic or friendly, have an important impact on who we are. From birth, an attachment is formed with our mothers and close caregivers, and, as we progress throughout life, that attachment transforms and evolves in many different ways and creates a framework for future relationships (Bowlby, 1969, 1973, 1980). As we develop and change as we enter into adulthood, these attachment styles adjust and present themselves in new ways in both social context and in romantic security and conflict resolution (Shi, 2003). Eventually relationships are formed with whom we want to spend the rest of our lives, and our attachment styles from infancy and childhood present themselves as these relationships develop (Gouveia, T., Schulz, M. S., & Costa, M. E. 2015). In a romantic relationship, attachment style can influence the way that you and your partner react and communicate with one another and resolve issues and conflicts (Shi, 2003). Healthy relationships are more likely to form between people who experienced a secure attachment in childhood. This gives them high levels of intimacy, trust, and positive self-regard. In contrast, unhealthy relationships are more likely to develop between individuals with insecure attachment styles, who often feel unworthy of affection, are emotionally unavailable, and closed off to intimacy (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2003). Attachment styles in adult romantic relationships
Overall, those with secure attachments have longer relationships and have more happiness within their lives. They have positive views of their partners and have fewer negative emotions (Strong & Cohen, 2014). On the contrary, insecure attachment appears to confer risk through relational styles of emotionally avoidant and dismissing behaviors with inappropriate autonomy from others (avoidant), or of excessive negative emotions (anger and fear) and inappropriate dependence on others
Researchers have been looking at theories to show how important relationships are in people’s lives and attachment theory has allowed them to understand human behavior in a variety of ways. Feelings, such as anger and romantic love, can be directly correlated to the attachments received as a child.