Attachment Between An Infant And A Caregiver

Rudolph Schaffer and Peggy Emerson (1964) also formulated a theory of attachment based on their longitudinal study of 60 babies in Glasgow looking at the gradual development of attachments; they visited them monthly for the first year of their lives and returned again at 18 months. (Bailey et al. 2008). Similar to Bowlby’s research, Schaffer and Emerson also formulated four key stages of attachment and produced

John Bowlby’s work in attachment has been one of the foundational works when determining the level of attachments 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 or children 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 have a great influence on their children’s lives.

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.

John Bowlby (1907-1990) developed the Theory of Attachment, influenced by the work of Sigmund Freud’s 1926 theory of cupboard love, which suggested that babies form attachments with those who meet their physiological needs, for example; feeding and security. His theory has influenced practice in settings globally and has also influenced other theories and experiments. Bowlby “took a distinctly evolutionary perspective on early attachment. He argued that because newborn infants are completely helpless, they are genetically programmed to form an attachment with their mothers in order to ensure survival”. Collins et al (2012, p274-p275)

This essay is looking at the similarities of two researchers into attachment. The aim is to present their work so as to compare and contrast the different approaches and techniques used by both Harry Harlow and Mary Ainsworth. Even though they both had their different techniques in carrying out their experiments, the conclusion of their findings was very similar and this essay will be showing these findings by contrast. Both psychologists wanted to find out the underlying mechanics of attachment of mothers and their young.

Bowlby’s (1946) original formulation of attachment theory drew upon both psychoanalytic and ethological theory and generated a significant amount of subsequent research. The core principle behind Bowlby’s theory was that the formation of a stable, healthy attachment with a

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

John Bowlby’s theory of human attachment has been widely used for studies the stages of human development. It was first introduced in the 1950’s and considered to be one of the most popular theories relating to parenting. John Bowlby, the “father” of attachment theory, explained it as “a reciprocal behavioral process initiated by the neonate to ensure survival,” which is the primary need of a child from its’ mother (Brandon, 2009). Bowlby’s believed that

John Bowlby’s attachment theory established that an infant’s earliest relationship with their primary caregiver or mother shaped their later development and characterized their human life, “from the cradle to the grave” (Bowlby, 1979, p. 129). The attachment style that an infant develops with their parent later reflects on their self-esteem, well-being and the romantic relationships that they form. Bowlby’s attachment theory had extensive research done by Mary Ainsworth, who studied the mother-infant interactions specifically regarding the theme of an infant’s exploration of their surrounding and the separation from their mother in an experiment called the strange situation. Ainsworth defined the four attachment styles: secure,

The two most common theories are John Bowlby’s theory of attachment and Mary Ainsworth’s styles of attachment theory. John Bowlby’s theory of attachment suggests that infants are genetically pre-programmed to develop strong attachments to those that show care and responsiveness to their needs. This was proposed after a series of experiments involving mother-infant

A British psychiatrist, John Bowlby, developed a theory around these parent-child relationships called attachment theory. Throughout the Late 1930s and 1940s a psychologist John Bowlby investigated the nature and the purpose of the close relationships that a person forms with people throughout their lives, in particular, childhood. He researched the making and breaking of bonds to understand the psychological behavior and social and emotional development of human being (Howe, 1995, P46). As a result of these investigations and studies Bowlby developed a theory called the ‘Attachment Theory’. The basis of this theory is that “the infant and young child should experience warm, intimate and continuous relationships between

Like Mary Ainsworth a colleague of his whose own research help develop the attachment theory went on to do her own observational research, Ainsworth identified three different attachment styles; secure, insecure avoidant and ambivalent/resistant that are the results of early attachment with the

The bond between the primary caregiver and infant is one that is inseparable. It is the first relationship exposed to the infant, and it serves as a map on how to form relationships in the future by reflecting a secure, healthy attachment. The bond between the caregiver and infant during the first few months are crucial, and there are repercussions that can occur if the child feels an insecure attachment with their primary caregiver. Children exposed to some sort of trauma such as abuse, neglect, etc. are more at risk for developing insecure attachments, such as children who are adopted (Pace & Zavattini, 2010; Barcons et al., 2012).

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 during infancy and early childhood is extremely important for proper brain development. Whether or not a child grows into a successful adult nearly depends on them forming a secure attachment. Attachment happens when a child feels safe, secure, and protected by their caregiver at all times. demands of an infant or child can be anything from being hungry, being cold, needing to be changed, to just wanting to be held or played with. There are two main types of attachment and both of them have very different out comes. The two primary types of attachment are secure and insecure attachment. More than half of children in the united states form secure attachments, leaving about 40 to 45 percent of children to form insecure attachments. when there are problems with forming an attachment during infancy and early child hood, a child will be more likely to struggle with relationships as an adult. These relationship problems can potentially last for a persons entire life if not addressed. That being said, there are a resources to help children with insecure attachment disorders. Attachment during infancy and early childhood is the most important stage of human development and has a huge impact on brain evolution.