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Attachment Theory

Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby, explains the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships and how individuals react to separation from loved ones. It emphasizes the importance of a primary caregiver in developing trust and emotional regulation, with attachment behaviors evolving through distinct phases in infancy. Mary Ainsworth identified various attachment patterns, which also manifest in adult relationships, highlighting the theory's relevance in child care policies and therapeutic practices.

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9 views1 page

Attachment Theory

Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby, explains the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships and how individuals react to separation from loved ones. It emphasizes the importance of a primary caregiver in developing trust and emotional regulation, with attachment behaviors evolving through distinct phases in infancy. Mary Ainsworth identified various attachment patterns, which also manifest in adult relationships, highlighting the theory's relevance in child care policies and therapeutic practices.

Uploaded by

amrutharajkanna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Attachment Theory

Attachment theory is a psychological model attempting to explain the basis and dynamics of long-
term interpersonal relationships between humans. It addresses a specific facet – how human beings
react when hurt/perceiving a threat/separated from a loved one.

Attachment depends on the person’s ability to develop basic trust in caregivers and self. The
motivation directs the child to seek proximity with caregivers when alarmed with the expectation
that they will provide protection and emotional support.

This theory was developed by John Bowlby who postulates that this behaviour evolved in the face of
evolutionary pressures to protect primate infants from threats such as predation/exposure to the
elements.

The most important tenet is that an infant needs to develop a relationship with atleast one primary
caregiver/attachment figure to develop successfully and learn how to effectively regulate emotions.

In the presence of a sensitive and responsive caregiver, the infant will use them as a ‘secure base’
from which to explore the environment. The goal of attachment behaviours is to achieve/maintain
proximity with the attachment figure. Pre-attachment behaviour starts in the first 6 months of life
with smiling, babbling, crying to attract attention of potential caregivers in first 8 weeks of life.

During the second phase (2-6 months), infants start discriminating between the caregivers –
following and clinging to them. Clear-cut attachment starts between 6 months to 2 years. The
behaviour is goal-directed to achieve proximity if a threat is perceived, if not then the child is free to
explore using caregivers as a ‘safe base’.

Attachment behaviours are often directed towards more than one caregiver, there being a hierarchy
with the principal attachment figure at the top.

On the basis of attachment behaviours, Mary Ainsworth delineated certain attachment patterns
using the Strange Situation Protocol. The first or the secure attachment is one in which the child
explores in the presence of a caregiver, engages with strangers but shows preference to caregivers,
expresses distress when caregiver leaves and happiness on their return. This is the best pattern
which develops when the caregivers respond nearly always to the child’s needs.

Insecure attachment patterns are of three types – insecure-ambivalent in which the child in which
the child is wary of strangers, highly distressed when caregiver leaves and ambivalent when they
return. This pattern develops when caregiver response is inconsistent and unpredictable. Insecure-
avoidant in which the child does not explore much and appears to ignore or avoid the caregiver on
their return. Disorganised attachment is one in which children show absence of attachment
behaviour having freezing or stereotypic jerky movements. This is associated with children having
suffered trauma or losses.

Similar patterns are also evident in adult relationships – secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-
avoidant and fearful-avoidant correlating with the above patterns in children.

The theory has not received much clinical application but is important in formulating child care
policies, adoption, institutional and foster care, attachment-based therapy and in treatment of
reactive attachment disorder.

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