Attachment Style and Romantic Relationships Research Paper Attachment theory has been of interest to many fields of study, from psychology to ethology, even biology and evolution. The developmental implications of the theory can be applied to different personalities, why we actively seek partners or long term relationships, or simply to explain why an infant may cry when its mother leaves the room. Although the initial implications were intended to explain the response of children when separated from their caregivers, research has proven its application to adult relationships, showing patterns of behavior based on attachment theory terminology. This paper explores the different aspects in which attachment theory is applied in adult relationships, such as finding a partner, predictability, and evolutionary purpose of caring for offspring. This paper also analyzes the spiritual application of attachment theory, and what it means to have a secure attachment with God.
Research
…show more content…
The name suggests the purpose of this theory, Bowlby wanted to explain the bonds infants develop with a primary caregiver as well as the previously mentioned negative reactions or distress in their separation with them (Hazan & Shaver, 1987). Bowlby observed that in separation, an infant will go through a series of predictable emotional reactions, such as protest, despair, and detachment (Hazan & Shaver, 1987). In protest, the child may actively search for their mother, cry, and resist any attempts of comfort from others. In despair, the infant shows passivity and sadness. Finally, in detachment, the child may seem defensive and can be avoidance of the mother when and if she
Fraley (2002) completed a meta analysis of studies concerning attachment in order to investigate the level of attachment pattern’s continuity throughout life. The study indicated that there was a certain stability of the attachment pattern, and that the stability is independent of time. Even though it is theorized that a secure pattern will be likely to stay unchanged, it is still indicated that experiences such as bad relationships will be able to change the attachment pattern (Fraley,
Attachment Theory for Childcare Providers: An Annotated Bibliography Mardell, B. (1992). A Practitioner’s Perspective on the Implications of Attachment Theory for Daycare Professionals. Child Study Journal, 22(3), 121-128. Retrieved from https://www.esc.edu/library/
Introduction Interpersonal relationships form the cornerstone of human interaction, shaping our experiences, emotions, and sense of belonging. From friendships and family bonds to romantic partnerships and professional connections, relationships play a fundamental role in our lives, influencing our happiness, well-being, and personal growth. Understanding the dynamics of interpersonal relationships is essential for navigating the complexities of human interaction and fostering meaningful connections with others. The purpose of this paper is to explore the stages of relationship development proposed by Knapp and Vangelisti (2000), as well as two key interpersonal theories: Uncertainty Reduction Theory and Attachment Theory. Through the lens
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
This essay will discuss and evaluate two theories of attachment: one being Dollard and Miller’s learning theory of attachment and the other being Bowlby’s evolution theory. Dollard and Miller’s attachment theory argues that nurture is more influential than nature in terms of attachments, taking the view that attachment is a set of learned behaviours resulting from an individual’s surroundings. In contrast, Bowlby’s theory of attachment insists nature is more dominant, defining nature as innate or instinctive characteristics everyone has. To further discuss Bowlby’s theory, this essay will also utilize the Genie case study and how it shall be used to discuss the social and emotional effects of attachment.
From class, I have learned four attachment styles, and these four attachment styles are: Secure, Avoidant, Ambivalent, and Disorganized. We have seen a lot of different people who share different attachment styles. Also, there are people who fall all over the place within these relationship styles. However, the one that I found myself to be the most is the secure style. For example, in my relationship, I am a secure person, and I believe that my boyfriend is also secure. He is not one hundred percent secure, but he falls in that category the most. All relationships do go through some type of issue before they can finally make it. I have discovered that our relationship styles are secure based on how we treat each other. When something is wrong, we talk it out then we move on. One real
The attachment theory is a theory by Bowlby that refers to the joint mutual relationship that babies experience and develop with their primary caregiver (Bowlby, 1982). This theory is not supported by research in various sceneries. However, even though the attachment theory began as an initiative, the clinical application to the daily clinical understanding of adult mental health complications has penned red behind the current available research. I believe that the theory can give valuable insight into both the developing nature of recognized psychiatric disorders as well as in the development of the therapeutic relationship in adults. My position provides an overview of (a) the application of attachment theory to diverse psychopathologies
The attachment theory was created by John Bowlby and later expanded by Mary Ainsworth (Dunham, 2017). This theory explains how a bond of affection that is formed between an infant and their caregiver, usually their mother, will go on to shape the relationships that they will have later on in life (Dunham, 2017). Bowlby believed that in order for an infant to form a secure attachment, the mother needs to be completely attuned to the infant’s needs (Schore & Schore, 2012). He also believed that how the caregiver responded to the infant would determine the nature of the attachment. Ainsworth would go on to define the three types of attachment. The first attachment is the secure attachment, the second is the anxious-avoidant attachment, and lastly is the anxious-resistant attachment (Dunham, 2017). Researchers would later add a fourth attachment, the disorganized attachment (Dunham, 2017). A disorganized attachment is usually formed when a caregiver is abusive (Dunham, 2017). An anxious-resistant attachment is an insecure attachment that is formed when the caregiver is inconsistent and unpredictable (Dunham, 2017). An anxious-avoidant attachment is another insecure attachment, in this case the child has learned not to depend on anyone (Dunham, 2017). Finally, a secure attachment is when the child knows they can rely on their caregiver to meet their needs (Dunham, 2017).
Another theory that can be associated with students’ misconduct in school is attachment theory. The attachment theory was first suggested by John Bowlby who described attachment as a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space which may affect one’s future behaviour. This theory involves the behaviour of an adult responding sensitively and appropriately to the child’s needs in the sense of comfort, protection, and support. A sensitive and better responsive parent provides a secure attachment relationship, which is can influence the child’s development positively (Sroufe, Egeland, Carlson, & Collins, 2005). In contrast, insecure attachment from an insensitive and unresponsive parent induces negative
There are two approaches to attachment; evolutionary theory and behavioural theory, and for the purposes of this essay I will focus largely on the evolutionary school of thought.
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
To begin with attachment theory, first everyone should understand what the attachment is. According to attachment means bonding between a child and caregiver or vice versa. The attachment theory is the theory that describes the long term interpersonal relationship between the humans. Also, it can be defined as the strong bond between parent and child, and later in peer and romantic relationship (Metzger, Erdman, Ng 85). It generates a specific fact that how the humans react in relationships when they get hurt, separated from loved ones and perceiving a threat. Basically the two main types of attachment are secure and insecure. Secure attachment is the attachments where mother and father are available for their child and during that time child demonstrates his or her stress and reestablish the connection (Metzger, Erdman, Ng 87). Insecure attachment is the attachment where parents are not regularly in touch with their children or they ignore their child which built a failed emotion communication (Metzger, Erdman, Ng 87). Also, it may be repeated from one generation to another until it is not recovered. However, as a result of attachment theory, it is so important for children to know about it and there are also several emotional effects on children when their parents leave to go to another county due to their connections or bond between them.
‘Attachment’ is a lasting secure and positive feeling that bonds one person to another, one of the strongest forms of attachment is thought to develop between a mother and child. Many psychologist, sociologist, physicians and psychoanalysts have sought to explore the fundamental nature of attachment and how it had evolved. Within this essay I shall examine
Each attachment style is divided along two dimensions – the fear of abandonment and the fear of closeness. Bartholomew and Horowitz define fear of abandonment as the model of self which describes the belief of an individual to be either “worthy of love and support or not” (1991). They also define fear of closeness as the model of other which describes an individual’s
Researchers have been looking at theories to show how important relationships are in people’s lives and attachment theory has allowed them to understand human behavior in a variety of ways. Feelings, such as anger and romantic love, can be directly correlated to the attachments received as a child.