John Bowlby's Three Types Of Attachment Theory

Perhaps the most influential explanation of attachment was presented by John Bowlby who began developing his ideas in the 1940s. Bowlby was commissioned by the World Health Organisation to investigate whether young children were likely to be harmed if they are separated from their mothers in the early years. (Hayes, 1996). Bowlby (1951) reported that infants possesses an innate need to attach to one main attachment figure (this was usually the mother). According to Hayes (1996), this is a special relationship which is qualitatively different from the relationship they form with any other kind of person. He described this as the process of monotropy; however, Bowlby did not deny that babies formed lots of attachments. (Bailey et al. 2008).

The term ‘attachment’ is used by psychologists who study the child’s early relationships. An attachment is a unique emotional bond normal between a child and an adult. A theorist called John Bowlby (1970-90) had a relation to the attachment theory. In 1950s John identified that when children and

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

John Bowlby, the backbone of attachment theories will be discussed throughout this essay to explain and evaluate the key theories of attachment. Health and well-being which is made up of four factors ‘physical, intellectual, emotional and social ' (Jones, 2016), will also be discussed within the essay. The definition of attachment is ‘an act of attaching or the state of being attached. ' (Dictionary, 1400) This will be showed in the assignment, using theorists to analyse the meaning. Sharing the strengths and weaknesses in some theorists will help conclude this assignment.

In the part of the essay I will describe and evaluate Bowlbys theory of Attachment and the learning theory of Attachment. I will show strengths and weaknesses in both theories. I will use a collection of source literature to back up and correlate this information.

At this stage the infant is now able to express their feeling by talking or being spoken to e.g. the mother or care giver will be able to explain that they are going to return later. On the other hand, some infants are able to negotiate with their mother/ care giver by using request e.g. “if you go now ca we go to the park later”. Although Bowlby believe that there were 4 stages of attachment, he also encouraged that there were different styles of attachment which were; Secure Attachment, Avoidant Attachment, Resistant Attachment and Disorganised/Disoriented Attachment.

Attachment theory is the concept of the development, of a psychological and emotional bond, that creates a secure or insecure attachment to a caregiver. Attachment bonds are very important, in regards to personal development. Formulated by John Bowlby in the sixties, he discovered that a child’s development depends significantly, on the strong attachment they form with a caregiver. Functions of Bowlby’s attachment

Attachment starts to develop since the women’s pregnancy, during this stage of human development the female starts to cultivate emotional attachment to the fetus. The method in which attachment is formed during gestation will eventually affect or enhance the child stance during pregnancy or even after birth. Attachment can be defined as the manner in which an infant creates an emotional connection between specific members. Attachment can be clearly detected, especially with the persons who are closer to the infant. In the article “Attachment Issues”, states the definition of attachment by theorist John Bowlby, and how attachment is constructed “Is not a one-time event, but a process that begins during birth and progress into the early

Attachment is the beginning of development for a healthy family system. Attachment or bonds are started very young they start with the parent and the child then it expands outward overdevelopment. There are four types of attachment styles avoidant, secure, ambivalent, and disorganized-disoriented. An attachment is a special bond and is usually positive between the child and usually the parents (Feldman, 2014, p.182). Out of the four attachments, secure attachment plays the most important in a healthy development of a child. Secure attachment is when a child and the caregiver such as the mother gives a secure foundation which the child feels like he/ she can explore the world around

There are various reasons for forming attachments by the infants. ‘The infant’s emotional tie to its mother

Meyer and Pilkonis (2001) say that the real-life experiences that are involved with caregivers and any others is the foundation of the attachment styles. The attachment paradigm refers to both Bowlby-Ainsworth attachment theory, a new way of understanding the infant’s tie to primary caregivers (Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters & Wall, 1978). This case study consisting of Chris and Sam’s romantic relationship issues is analysed to determine the reasons behind their difficulties. The reason is based on Bowlby’s attachment theory that Sam happens to be experiencing one of the three main styles that he has defined. There has been evidence linking the effects that infant attachment has on adult romantic relationships and that is where Sam’s problem

Usually an “insecure” base is formed which can result in children viewing the world as an unsafe place, filled with unreliable people because their basic needs, for example, food, comfort or care were not met on a consistent basis. This damaged self-esteem can also affect a child’s cognitive development as these children may be afraid to take risks or try new tasks, both of which are very important tasks in relation to development. “There is a link between childhood attachment patterns and adult attachment styles and relationships. As adults, securely attached children tend to have higher

The theory of attachment grew out of the work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, through their work with the “Strange Situation” tests they were able to determine how a child’s attachment style develops with relation to the parents. The test consisted of have a mother and 12 month old child enter a room with toys, allow for the child to adjust and explore briefly, then the mother would leave and return twice and at a point during her departure a stranger would enter the room. From the child’s behavior during these different points in the test Bowlby and Ainsworth where able formulate and idea about the child’s attachment (Wallin, 2007).

Since the attachment theory provides a fundamental framework of an infant’s development from womb to tomb, this research can be used to characterize specific behavior that a person may develop from childhood throughout adulthood. In Huis in ‘t Veld

As humans, building relationships between others is a form of connecting and communicating. It is a social situation that is experienced every day through the course of a lifetime. The initial relationship that is made is between the mother and the child. This bond that connects two people is known to be called attachment. The theory of attachment begins at birth, and from that, continuing on to other relationships in family, friends, and romance. Attachment is taught through social experiences, however the relationship with the mother and her temperament are the key factors in shaping the infants attachment type, which