Essay on Psychological Theories of Attachment

One of the most important factors that affect child development is the relationship of the child with their primary caregiver. This is a tenet of developmental psychology known as attachment theory. John Bowlby, the creator of this theory, wanted to examine how early childhood experiences influence personality development. Attachment theory specifically examines infant’s reactions to being separated from their primary caregiver. Bowlby hypothesized that the differences in how children react to these situations demonstrates basic behavioral differences in infancy that will have consequences for later social and emotional development.

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.

EFT is an attachment based research theory, that suggest that couples have strong need to stay connected (bond) to each other. As such, bonding is very important in marital relationships and if the bond is disappearing, then stressful and negative cycle pattern begins to emerge. Thus, the goal of EFT is to support couples walk through a process of healing (overcoming the negative patterns, rebuilding the connection again, and fortify the bond) (Goldenberg, Stanton, & Goldenberg, 2017). From the assessment that has carried out by the therapist it is clear that Tam and Lisa do not have what it takes to manage or settle conflicts without it escalating into something else. As such, the bonding between them is disappearing and it’s becoming stressful and disturbing to them and their children. Because Jimmy and Emma even though do not see their parent fight or disagree in the open but they can sense the disconnection between their parent and feel the tension whenever both of them where at home. More so, because of the negative pattern that has emerge as a result of lack of secure attachment, there is no more interactions between the couple and each others needs are not met. From the case conceptualization, and to decide what treatment plan should target or focus on the therapist will use the step-by-step treatment manual provided by Johnson and Greenberg (1995) as cited in (Goldenberg et al., 2017) for the therapy process:

The Development of Attachment Theory and Its Strengths and Limitations English psychiatrist John Bowlby is a leading and influential figure within the history of social reform. His work has influenced social work policies and legislation relating to child psychiatry and psychology. Bowlby was trained as a psychoanalyst, and was influenced by Freudians theories, but became influenced again in his attachment theory by the work of ethologists. The ethologists theory concentrates on looking at the role parents play rather than only the child. Bowlby believes that parenting has strong ties with biology and it explains why there are such strong emotions attached.

This essay will examine key research of attachment theories, parenting styles and emotional needs of children and how parents and carers support that. Attachment theory is the basis of building relationships with your care givers and people around you. I will be describing how attachment theory relates with the emotional needs of the children and how parenting can influence this. Children either develop a secure or an unsecure attachment with their caregiver, either plays a huge part in their children’s emotional development. It needs to be explained throughout this essay what it is that parents and carers can do to provide secure attachments with our children, and support their children’s emotional needs.

Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby presents a set of organizing principles for understanding various facets of human psychological aspects. The theory offers a wide spectrum, which encompasses comprehensive theoretical paradigm for understanding diversities amongst relationships. Bowlby rejecting the old theories of attachment highlighted that attachment is not merely an internal drive to satisfy some need. This paper will focus on the seminal work and the principles on which the attachment theory is based. A spin-off theory derived from the original concept is also presented at the end.

Theory based strategies help carers of Looked after Children to facilitate and rebuild secure attachments when they are supporting and working with children in care, or if they move placements for example, into an adoptive or foster family. These strategies help the carers manage and understand challenging behaviour that is often caused as a consequence of an insecure attachment. Attachment can be defined as a long-lasting bond that is developed by infants towards their parents and is described as ‘a positive emotional link between two people – a link of affection’. (Lindon,1998,35,Cited in Crawford et al, 2005). Attachment disorders can impact on a child’s developmental wellbeing throughout childhood and into adolescence. Evaluating the attachment theory can show different ways these disorders affect the relationship of the child and carer.

Psychological Research into Individual Differences in Attachment " An attachment is a close relationship between two persons, characterised by mutual affection and a desire to maintain proximity" (Schaffer 1993). When you are attached to someone, you enjoy their company and are distressed when they are not there. The most common attachment researched is between a baby and its caregiver.

Bowlby’s theory is an evolutionary theory because, in his view attachment is a behavioural system that has evolved because of its survival value and, ultimately, its reproductive value. According to Bowlby, children have an innate drive to become attached to a caregiver because attachment has long-term benefits. Both attachment and imprinting ensure that a young animal stays close to a caregiver who will feed and protect the young animal. Thus attachment and imprinting are adaptive behaviours. Infants who do not become attached are less likely to survive and reproduce. Attachment ‘genes’ are perpetuated, and infants are born with an innate drive to become attached.

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,

from a family member. Savage (2008) alludes to the attachment theory and argument that suggests that a supportive family enhances a student’s ability to handle difficult life transitions. For first generation college students, it may be important to include parental involvement as a means of trying to mediate between the different expectancies students may experience in their home lives from parents and family members who do not relate to the college experience and the demands placed on them to assimilate to their college peer groups (Haiso, 1992).

This study was conducted to use concepts from attachment theory, and social support theory, to contribute to our understanding of the human–companion animal bond. “Measure Pets as Sources of Social Support and Attachment Figures”, This study uses Attachment Theory, Social Support Theory, and the concept of the hierarchical nature of attachment relationships to further understand and measure human–animal attachment. (Meehan, Massavelli & Pachana, 2017). In one of the studies discussed in the article, the purpose of one experiment was to use the Attachment Scale to determine the level of attachment the owners feel to their animals. Researchers believed participants who appeared to be lonelier or didn’t have enough social support would be more

Individual forms an attachment style (secure, insecure-avoidant, or insecure-ambivalent), as asserted by the Attachment theory, towards primary caregivers in his/her early life. For interactions in future relationships, the attachment style of the individual becomes an internal working model (script/schema). The attachment theory’s central premise is that caregivers may enable children forming secure attachment style by encouraging them in developing healthy independence, which further facilitate healthy adult relationships’ development in their professional and private lives. On the other hand, children lacking secure relationships with caregivers, experience difficulties as adults, in developing secure work and personal relationship. Primarily,

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

Attachment theory is a concept that explores the importance of attachment in respect to direct development. “It is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space” (Bowlby, 1969; McLeod, 2009). It is the relationship that develops within the first year of the infant’s life between them and their caregiver. The theory also relates to the quality of the attachment that is shown in the behavior of the infant (Rieser-Danner, 2016). Attachment theory shows that infants need a close nurturing relationship with their caregiver in order to have a healthy relationship. Lack of response from the caregiver