Attachment

Theory
Development and Use
Attachment Theory
“ A psychological model attempting to describe the dynamics of long-term and
short-term interpersonal relationships between humans.”- WIKI

Example: children to mother

John Bowlby
● Was the first attachment theorist
● Early bonds formed with the primary caregiver,
have an effect later in life
● Attachment as an evolutionary process, children
are born with a motive to form attachment
● A means for survival ( More likely to be successful
in adulthood.)
● Nurturance and responsiveness is the main key
to successful attachment.
Main Points of Bowlby’s Theory
1. A child has an innate need to attach to one main attachment figure.
(Monotropy)
2. A child should receive continuous care from this main attachment figure
for the first 2 years of life.
3. Maternal deprivation causes serious long-term consequences.
4. PDD Model
5. Relationship with parent shapes future interaction with others.
 Internal Working Model

Source: https://www.simplypsychology.org/internal-working-model.jpg
Mary Ainsworth
● “Strange Situation” Study
● Three major styles of attachment
○ Secure
○ Avoidant
○ Ambivalent
○ DIsorganized (added later by
Main and Solomon in 1990)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_6rQk7jlrc
Harry Harlow
● Attachment in developed by
“tactile comfort”
○ Holding/ touching
● “Harlow’s Monkey Studies”
○ Isolation- Separated baby monkey
from contact for 3,6, 9, and 12
months with no contact
○ Surrogate Mothers- One made of wire
one made with cloth. 4 could get milk
from cloth, 4 from wire
8 Stages according to Erikson
Infancy: Trust vs. Mistrust

● Infants require a great deal of attention

● Need comfort from their parents

Early Childhood: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

● Independence and their unique personality

● Tantrums and defiance are common in this stage
8 Stages according to Erikson cont.
Preschool years: Initiative vs. Guilt

● Children start learning about social norms

● Tantrums and defiance will continue
● The way trusted adults interact with the child will encourage them to
develop a sense of inappropriate behaviors and how to live more
independently

School Age: Competence vs. inferiority

● Building important relationships with peers

● Feeling pressure of academic performance
● Mental health issues often arise at this stage
8 Stages according to Erikson cont.
Adolescence: Identity vs. Role Confusion

● Reaching new heights of independence

● Experimenting and putting together their identity
● Emotional and physical changes often happen
● Problem with Communication begins to arise

Young Adult: Intimacy vs. Isolation around 18-40 years

● Begins sharing more with others

● Satisfying relationships are built
● Isolation, loneliness, and depression often occur if no relationships have
been built
8 Stages According to Erikson cont.
Middle Adulthood: Generativity vs. Stagnation (ages 40-65)

● Individual is likely established in his or her career and relationships

● If not, the individual often is stagnant and feeling unproductive

Late Adulthood: Ego Integrity vs. Despair (ages 65+)

● Reduced productivity and often dissatisfaction

● Successfully navigating through this stage will help the individual not feel
depressed and hopeless.
What is “Attachment?”
● Defined as: a lasting psychological connectedness between human beings
● Caregiver provides security, and infant’s chances of survival increases.
● Close family environments vs. neglected children
What Influence Attachment
Availability Quality
Quiz Questions
1) What is Attachment?
a) A lasting emotional bond formed with another person
2) What are the 4 types of attachment?
a) Insecure-avoidant
b) Insecure-resistant
c) Secure
d) Disorganized
3) What is the “strange situation”?
4) T/F attachment is a universal part of the inborn social nature of humans?
a) T
5) T/F attachment does not play an important role in a child's development
a) F
6) Who was the first attachment theorist?
a) John Bowlby
Why do you think attachment is important?
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attachment_theory#History

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-attachment-theory-2795337

https://www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html

https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/attachment-theory/