Secure Attachment Research Paper

John Bowlby developed his Attachment Theory to examine and explore the contextual relationships between a child and their caregiver and their behavioral repercussions. He describes it is “a way of conceptualizing 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, anger, depression, and emotional detachment, to which unwilling separation and loss give rise” (Bowlby, 1979, p. 127). An infant’s attachment to their primary caregiver establishes a sense of security, through protection, so the infant is able to explore the world with confidence and without threat and risk. During a child’s

Bowlby’s attachment theory has greatly influenced practice. His theory of attachment explains the importance of having a figure that the child shares a strong bond with. Having an attachment can significantly support a child’s development as Barbara Woods suggests that “his theory of attachment proposed that attachment is innate in both infants and mothers, and that the formation of this attachment is crucial for the infants development” Wood, B (2001, p.53). Bowlby believed that forming an attachment will help a child develop in all areas e.g. emotionally, physical and mentally. However if they did not form an attachment in the sensitive period, the child may have issues or problems in their cognitive, emotional and social development.

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.

Hendrix (1992) explains that since our memories from childhood are usually dim, it is often necessary to analyze present behavior patterns in order to understand how we moved through the early development. Based on that explanation, I came to the conclusion that I developed a secure attachment. One reason I believe I develop secure attachment is because I have the tendency to trust people easily, unless they have proven otherwise. When I meet a new person I often make a good first impression of him and assume he is a good person. It is usually often a person said or did something questionable that I start to mistrust him. Secondly, my parents would tell us how easily I got over after becoming upset with someone. I could not be mad at people for a long time. According to my parents, I would get spanked or scolded for poor behavior and I would leave the room sad or crying only to return a few minutes later and start talking with my parents like nothing had happened.

Secure attachment is fundamentally important to the long term health and wellbeing of children (Bowlby 1959). John Bowlby (1907-1990) was a psychoanalyst, he believed that the mental health and behavioural problems could recognised to early childhood. Within this assignment the author will be discussing the basic meaning of attachment, also secure and insecure attachment and why they are important. The author will also be discussing the positives and negatives of attachment and other theorists that have different views to John Bowlby. The information will back up their facts with reliable references, which include books and electronic resources.

Parents influence the infant’s development; for example, if they are affectionate and reliable the toddlers are going to have a secure attachment. It is essential and healthy for children to have a secure attachment.

The majority of developmental theories say that children must develop a secure primary attachment in order to develop in a healthy manner. A secure and strong attachment is clearly essential for healthy future relationships. John Bowlby’s studies in childhood development led him to the conclusion that a strong attachment to a caregiver provides a necessary sense of security and foundation. Without such a relationship in place, Bowlby found that a great deal of developmental energy is expended in the search for stability and security. In general, those without such attachments are fearful and are less willing to seek out and learn from new

The mother is usually the first and primary object of attachment for an infant, but in many cultures, babies become just as attached to their fathers, siblings, and grandparents. When infants are attached to their caregivers, they gain a secure base from which babies can explore their environment and a haven of safety to return to when they are afraid. Attachment begins with physical touching and cuddling between infant and parent. Some babies become secure or insecure attached. Normal, healthy attachment will happen within a wide range of cultural, family, and individual variations in child-rearing customs. Studies of Strange Situation have distinguished secure from insecure attachment. Insecurity can take one of two forms: avoidant and anxious-ambivalent attachment.

Attachment theory emphasizes the importance of parent’s capability to offer a secure base for their children to discover the world ( Kottler & Shepard 2015). My own attachment style is a secure attachment style; secure attachment style refers to the idea that infants who couldn’t count on their mother being consistently available would cry when their mother left their sight but quickly calm down when their mother came back and pick them up ( Kottler & Shepard 2015).

Pioneered by John Bowlby, the formation of attachment theory, stems from the concept that intimate and comforting relationships between child and caregiver, establishes a sense of security and fosters positive social and emotional development (Ogilvie, Newman, Todd & Peck, 2014). Although attachment theory was primarily focused on understanding the temperament of infants, it has since been illustrated that attachment can define human experience from ‘cradle to grave’ (Chopik, Edelstein & Fraley, 2013).
 Those described as securely attached, (who receive supervision and discipline from a caregiver) develop a healthy perception of the world, displaying high levels of self control; beneficial in steering themselves away from delinquent

According to Sroufe (2005) attachment is where the child uses the primary caregiver as a secure base from which to explore, feel safe, and be comforted. As mentioned by Bowlby (1973) as cited by Sroufe (2005), individuals tend to return to trajectories of development following perturbations. Therefore, by promoting resilience and strength in the face of challenges, attachment is considered a protective factor, which emphasizes the importance for parents to

Bowlby, an early psychologist studying attachment styles theorized that the attachment relationship that a child has with his/her primary caregiver will determine the attachment style the child develops (Bowlby, 1969). When caregivers provide a safe and trusting environment and are responsive to the needs of the child, the child develops a secure attachment style. When the child does not receive the positive reinforcement of a healthy relationship with their primary caregiver the attachment style developed is dismissive, anxious, or fearful. The attachment style is carried into their adult relationships and influence the success or failure of their adult relationships. The attachment style appears to be more flexible than first thought with trauma and negative life events having influence on the stability of the attachment style. This paper will review research and articles about attachment style in relation to positive and negative child-caregiver relations and the stability of the attachment style over time.

According to Newman and Newman (2015), attachment is the process through which people develop specific, emotional bonds with others. There are five different stages in the development of attachment. There are four patterns of attachment: secure attachment, anxious-avoidant attachment, anxious-resistant attachment, and disorganized attachment. Secure attachment is the most positive of all three patterns in which it provides a child with healthy self-awareness and trust. Disorganized and avoidant attachment is where the child’s needs for safety and understanding are not met. This can often lead to difficult learning and relationships and an inadequate attachment relationship with the caregiver (Malekpour, 2007). Attachment is a key factor in

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).

Secure attachment is defined by the psychology glossary as “an emotional bond between children and their caregivers” (Psychologistworldcom, 2016)