Universality Of Attachment Theory

The origins of Attachment theory can be traced to the influential work of John Bowlby (1958). Bowlby’s work as a psychiatrist in a Child Guidance Clinic in London caused him to consider the significance of the child’s relationship with their mother in terms of their cognitive, emotional and social development. Specifically, it contributed to enthralling his interests surrounding the link between early infant separations with the mother and later maladjustment, leading Bowlby to formulate the Theory of Attachment. Bowlby argues that this attachment between the mother and child is different in a qualitative form from any other form attachment. This theory, although seminal, holds many criticisms from others, stating that children learn more from their peers rather than from their parents (Harris, 1998). A separate criticism is that of Field’s (1996), who evaluates the many limitations of the Attachment Theory.

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

John Bowlby’s work in attachment has been the foundation when determining the attcahments and bonds that a child and parent may experience (Webb, 2011). According to Bowlby, “attachment” is referring to a lasting, mutual bond of affection that is dependent on an individual or more than one person (Webb, 2011). Establishing a secure attachment during infancy and early childhood is an important task of a parent or a caregiver. Not all parents or caregivers can provide their child with a secure attachment at this important in life due to various reasons. Since parents are the main providers in their child’s development of attachment, their lives and history has a great influence on their children’s lives.

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

One of the key theorists of attachment is John Bowlby and his ‘Attachment theory". Bowlby believed ‘the attachment of a caregiver is an inherited mechanism to

Bowlby explored a wide range of fields in order to formulate the attachment theory which includes psychoanalysis, control system theory, evolutionary biology, ethology and cognitive psychology. Bowlby became concerned about the disturbance of children in understaffed orphanages and nurseries as they were not provided with much emotional interaction, so the children showed an inability to form close and long lasting relationships with others which seemed to Bowlby that they were unable to love because they had missed their opportunity to form solid attachment to a mother figure in early life. In 1948, World Health Organization commissioned Bowlby to conduct the research evidence on such institutional deprivation. In 1951, Bowlby put forward his hypothesis in Maternal Care and Mental Health that

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.

In 1958, the Attachment theory came into existence. It was developed by John Bowlby on the notion that the quality of the parent -child relationship was essential for development and mental health (Howe, 2011, pg, 7). This thinking was in the context of distress shown by children when separated from their parents or when in unfamiliar surroundings. While having credit for the emergence of the attachment theory, Bowlby subsequently carried out a lot of research work with Mary Ainsworth concluding that children view their attachment figures as both a ?safe haven? to return to for comfort and protection and also a ?secure base? from which to explore their environment. The birth of children gives rise to the need to feel loved and wanted by caregivers, (Maclean and Harrison,2015 pg, 103), the absence of which might result in a range of behaviors to either

“Attachment is the ability to form emotional bonds with other people”, it is unambiguous that Precious did not have that kind of emotional bond with her family (E.D. Hutchison, 2012. 441) John Bowlby who is considered the father of attachment theory. Attachment theory is a concerted work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. This theory focus on early childhood experiences and how well cared and in our world, may influence on how the child behaves from childhood to adult. The assumption of this theoretically perspective, focus on the relationship between the caregiver and the child and how it can affect the child’s behaviors and

Bowlby, the founder of the attachment theory, “hypothesized that children are born with a predisposition to attached to their caregivers and the children will organize their own behaviors and thinking in in order to maintain those relationships (Bettmann, p.2, 2006).” Bettmann (2006) further explained that the attachment theory maintains that children’s psychological and physical survival depend on a secure attachment with a caregiver. Furthermore, Bettmann (2006) reported that attachment theory asserts that often children will try to maintain the attachment to their caregiver at a cost of own functioning and distortions. Most children are able to form a secure attachment, as a parent needs to be a “good enough parent” for secure attachment. Additionally, another adult can assume the role of an attachment figure in a child’s life.

Bowlby (1958) first introduced the concept of attachment style. In 1969, Bowlby presented four main phases of attachment relationship formation: 1) No real attachment to anyone for the first few months of life, 2) smiling in greeting and is comforted by the mother figure developed around 5-7 months, 3) infant makes an effort to stay within proximity of the mother and protests when they leave and 4) the loosening need for proximity due to confidence development around school age. Weinraub and Lewis (1977) added a fifth developmental stage. They contended that at around 2-3, the child begins accommodate for the mother 's needs instead of the mother making all accommodations. Bowlby 's theory was based on

John Bowlby a British psychiatrist was the first to apply the idea of attachment theory. He defines it as the bond between infant and caregiver. The quality of the attachment to the caregiver has deep implications for the child’s feelings of safety and capacity to form trusting relationships. (Berk, 2013) Attachment theory is defined as “a continuing affectionate bond that ties a person to another, over time and across space,” and gives the infant feelings of safety, sanctuary, and protection, it provides a safe base from which to explore the world.

John Bowlby, a British psychologist (1907 to 1990) coined the term attachment. He was a psychiatrist and his influences were Freud, Melanie Klein and Lorenz. Bowlby’s attachment theory suggests that children come into the world biologically pre- programmed to form attachments with others as this will help them survive.

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