Attachment Theory: a Bond for Specific Others
Running Head: ATTACHMENT THEORY
Attachment Theory: A Bond for Specific Others
Abstract Attachment theory is the joint work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth that examine a special emotional relationship that involves an exchange of comfort, care, and pleasure. John Bowlby devoted extensive research to the concept of attachment and describes it as a connectedness between individuals that is psychologically lasting and through Mary Ainsworth’s innovative methodology not only has she made it possible to test some of Bowlby’s ideas empirically but has also helped expand the theory itself. This paper will examine the theory of Bowlby’s and Ainsworth theory of attachment and conclude with some of the criticisms that this theory faces.
Attachment Theory: A Bond for Specific Others
As human beings we are born into life with an innate need to feel connected to those that surround us. John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth have known this need for a sense of psychological lasting connectedness as attachment theory. Attachment theory is a theory, or group of theories, about the psychological tendency to seek closeness to another person, to feel secure when that person is present, and to feel anxious when that person is absent. In Theories of Development by William Crain it is proposed that attachment theory developed through evolution as it is stated that: Throughout most of human history, humans probably moved about in small groups, searching for food, and often risking attack by large predators. When threatened, humans, like other primate groups, probably cooperated to drive off predators and protect the sick and young. To gain this protection, children needed to stay close to adults…Thus children must have evolved attachment behaviors-gestures and signals that promote and maintain proximity to caretakers (2005). Drawing on concepts from ethology, cybernetics, information processing, developmental psychology, and psychoanalysts, John
Attachment Theory: A Bond for Specific Others
Abstract Attachment theory is the joint work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth that examine a special emotional relationship that involves an exchange of comfort, care, and pleasure. John Bowlby devoted extensive research to the concept of attachment and describes it as a connectedness between individuals that is psychologically lasting and through Mary Ainsworth’s innovative methodology not only has she made it possible to test some of Bowlby’s ideas empirically but has also helped expand the theory itself. This paper will examine the theory of Bowlby’s and Ainsworth theory of attachment and conclude with some of the criticisms that this theory faces.
Attachment Theory: A Bond for Specific Others
As human beings we are born into life with an innate need to feel connected to those that surround us. John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth have known this need for a sense of psychological lasting connectedness as attachment theory. Attachment theory is a theory, or group of theories, about the psychological tendency to seek closeness to another person, to feel secure when that person is present, and to feel anxious when that person is absent. In Theories of Development by William Crain it is proposed that attachment theory developed through evolution as it is stated that: Throughout most of human history, humans probably moved about in small groups, searching for food, and often risking attack by large predators. When threatened, humans, like other primate groups, probably cooperated to drive off predators and protect the sick and young. To gain this protection, children needed to stay close to adults…Thus children must have evolved attachment behaviors-gestures and signals that promote and maintain proximity to caretakers (2005). Drawing on concepts from ethology, cybernetics, information processing, developmental psychology, and psychoanalysts, John
References: Crain, William (2005). Theories of Development: Concepts and Application (5th ED). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc. Engler, Barbara (2006). Personality Theories: Seventh Edition. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. Lee, E.J. (2003, Decembere). The Attachment System Throughout the Life Course: Review and Criticisms of Attachment Theory. Retrieved July 11, 2009, from Rochester Institute of Technology Web site: http://www.personalityresearch. org/papers/lee.html