My Attachment Theory

Attachment also affords a type of reciprocity between parent and child, because both benefit from their relationship to each other. The child benefits by receiving affective care form the parent and the parent benefits by experiencing a sense of value for caring for the child. If a child has a secure attachment pattern, it will more readily accept the caregiver’s advice and instructions since he or she trust the caregiver.

Attachment theory was originally proposed by Bowlby (1969) as an explanation of interpersonal relationships, with particular focus in his work on the parent-child relationships which are formed in early childhood. He noted that this was an evolutionary need within us as humans to form close attachments to improve our rate of survival (Bowlby, 1969). He later also theorized that these attachment styles would persist throughout life into adulthood (Bowlby, 1988). Further work on attachment theory by Bartholomew & Horowitz (1991) expanded on attachment styles and looked at the continuation of attachment style into adulthood. Using interviews with participants and the participants close friends they found evidence for four types of adult attachment styles: Secure, Preoccupied, Dismissing and Fearful (Bartholomew & Horowitz 1991). Further support for adult attachments styles is from Mikulincer & Shaver (2004) showing that attachments styles persist from childhood into adulthood demonstrating bowlby 's later hypothesis

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,

Attachment style is a profound effect not only on our emotional development, but also upon the health of our relationships. A child forms a strong emotional bond with caregivers during childhood with lifelong consequences. It is important to be aware of attachment during infancy and early childhood in order to raise secure, independent and empathetic children. A secure, trusting attachment to parents during childhood forms the basis for secure relationships and independence as adults. It affects everything from our partner selection to how well our relationships progress to, sadly, how they end. That is why recognizing our attachment pattern can help us understand our strengths and vulnerabilities in a relationship. An attachment pattern is

Attachment style theory describes the type of attachment an infant has with its mother or other main care giver which is generally first observed in a child around 5 to 7 months of age and may continue to shape them and their relationships for the rest of their lives (Smith, Cowie & Blades, 2011; Downey & Feldman, 1996). Attachment is an affectionate bond that one person forms between themselves and another specific person that discourages large spaces between the two individuals and that will endure over time (Ainsworth, 1989).

From the 1960s to the 1980s psychologists have worked and developed a four-part attachment style for adults. These styles are related to how individuals see themselves, how they see others, and how they relate to the people who are special to them. The attachment styles are secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant.

Attachment theory constituted by John Bowlby suggested the child’s early attachment with a primary caregiver predicts their later adulthood relationship style. There are three patterns of adult attachment theory: secure, avoidant, and ambivalent relationship styles.

The Attachment Theory The attachment theory talks about the early significance and developments of attachment between infants and their mothers. Attachment can be defined as intense, emotional ties to specific people. The attachment process can be divided into pre-attachment, discriminate and indiscriminate and multiple attachment phases.

Bowlby 's maternal deprivation hypothesis assumes that continual disruption of the attachment bond between the infant and primary caregiver would result in long term cognitive, social and emotional difficulties for the child.

Attachment is seen as universal, but it does not take account for different cultures, which can lead to different types of child rearing. Also with that idea, attachment theory focuses mostly on maternal bond with the infant. Some families all around the world can have a different caregiver than the traditional western society. Grandparents can help raise a child due to both parents working or the father can rear a child due to divorce or death of a mother. Anyone who takes care of a child’s needs could develop a strong bond with the child.

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.

In Essentials of Psychology, attachment is a term that is defined as the intense emotional connection shared between a child and their predominant caretaker. Attachment can be classified into two different types: secure or insecure attachment. If the bond shared between both the the predominant caregiver and child is secure, then the child believes that they are worthy of the love they receive and they are able to trust their caregivers as a result. On the other hand, if the bond formed is an insecure attachment, then the child feels as though they do not deserve the love they are be given and they can’t trust anyone.

John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth were also two influential individuals who were interested in the phenomena of attachment. The attachment theory was the collaborative work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth who were influenced by the psychodynamic school of thought. They believed that early in life, strong bonds are usually formed to their caregivers, and the quality of those attachments determines the expectations one will maintain on one’s self and others (Nolan-Hoeksema, 2007). Both Bowlby and Ainsworth believed that there are several different forms of attachment in early development, however, the two main types are secure and insecure attachments (Gross, 2011). Children who form secure attachments tend to be more confident that their caregivers will be there when they need them (Nolan-Hoeksema, 2007). This confidence facilitates the courage to explore their environment, returning to their caregivers when needing comfort or care (Nolan-Hoeksema, 2007). As children continue to develop, they will go on to expect that their other relationships will be secure, thus seeking out positive, strong relationships with others (Nolan-Hoeksema, 2007).

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

The Attachment Theory. Our first relationship in life tends to be the mother. The attachment theory by John Bowlby emphasizes the importance and need of attachment. In addition, Mary Ainsworth created the idea that there are three styles of attachment. These include secure attachment, ambivalent attachment, and avoidant attachment. Despite some problems my parents had, I feel that I was loved and cared for the best my mother was able. I was a happy kid and had everything that I needed. I was raised being taught to respect others, speak kindly, and be confident in myself. Despite not having my father around, I think Mary Ainsworth would say that I was a securely attached child.