Theories of Attachment- Bowlby and Ainsworth Flashcards
what life stage does this theory relate to?
infancy, but impacts childhood and adulthood.
what did bowlby argue?
He is a Natavist and argued that children are born with an innate need to form attachments.
Bowlbys theory of attachment:
Babies are biologically predispositioned to form attachments
He developed the idea of a primary attachment with one main care giver (Bowlby said this was the mother)
This attachment is vital as it also impacts their lives as they grow up.
What experiment did ainsworth develop?
The “strange situation” experiment.
This was to assess attachment between the mother and her child.
It proved: sensitive mothers are more likely to have securely attached children. In contrast, mothers who are less sensitive, for example, fail to respond to their child’s needs effectively, are likely to have insecurely attached children.
Ainsworth’s three types of attachment: secure attachment
Demonstrated when a child is able to use their parent as a source of comfort. During the experiment they were upset when the care giver left the room, but calmed down when they returned.
The child will play happily in a room with a stranger as long as their primary care giver is present.
Ainsworth’s three types of attachment: avoidant attachment
Not distressed when the parent leaves the room.
May seek comfort in a stranger and appear independent.
May not show interest when parent returns.
Insecure attachment may lead to child developing behavioural issues and experience difficulty forming relationships.
Ainsworth’s three types of attachment: resistant attachment
The child is upset when the parent leaves the room. Although, when the care giver returns they will resist contact and push the care giver away.
Also may find it hard to form relationships and develop behavioural issues .
Parenting is insecure in meeting the needs of the child.
