Attachment Theory Flashcards
Attachment theory
Attachment theory was developed by John Bowlby. He suggested that children have an innate tendency to form relationships (attachments) with people around them to increase their chance of survival.
Bonding is sometimes used synonymously with attachment, but the two are different. Bonding concerns the mothers feelings for her infant and differs from attachment.
Children normally single out a primary caregiver (usually but not always the mother) from about 1-3 months. Bowlby referred to the primary care giver as the principle attachment figure. He referred to other attachments as subsidiary attachment figures. He referred to the child’s bias towards a single figure as monotropy.
Initially, babies show a positive response to strangers (between 14-18 weeks), this is normally replaced by stranger anxiety at around 8 months.
When an infant is separated from their main carer it is common for them to become anxious (aka separation anxiety). Separation anxiety is most common when an infant is 10 - 18 months and usually diminishes by year three.
The quality of a persons early attachments appears is associated with their adult behaviour. Poor attachments tend to lead to withdrawn individuals who struggle to form relationships, where as good attachments are associated with socially competent adults who are able to form healthy relationships. Attachment behaviour tends to be stable over the lifetime.
Specific attachment does not seem to take place before 6 months. The time from 6 months to 36 months is known as the critical period. During this time a child is most vulnerable to interruptions in its attachment.
Attachments are divided into secure and insecure types. Insecure types are further divided into avoidant and ambivalent types.
Bowlby also proposed the idea of an internal working model. This is held to be the product of attachment experiences and represents a persons view of the external world.
Preattachment
PeriodBirth to 6 weeks
DescriptionBaby orientates towards mother, follows them with their eyes, and turns to mother’s voice. Complete attachment not yet complete and baby is still comfortable with unfamiliar people
Attachment in the making
Period6 weeks to 6-8 months
DescriptionInfant becomes more attached to one or more persons in the environment. Begins to show different reactions to familiar people versus strangers. Separation anxiety not yet present
Clear cut attachment
Period6-8 months to 18-24 months
DescriptionInfant cries and shows distress when separated from the caregiver (separation anxiety). This phase can occur as early as 3 months. On being returned to the caregiver the crying stops. Child shows preference for selective caregivers and will seek to be near them
StageFormation of reciprocal attachment
Period18 months to 2 years and on
DescriptionChild begins to understand that their caregiver may leave and return so separation anxiety lessens. Child may be less physically clingy but may begin to find more intelligent ways to influence their caregiver to get their needs met (bribing and sulking for instance)
