Attachment Theory

Attachment theory

This theory indicates that we develop various attachment styles that are adapted from the types of parenting we encounter as infants (Walsh, 2010).  John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth are the leading theorists behind the development of attachment theory.  Bowlby was interested in developing an understanding of the remarkable behaviors demonstrated by infants when being separated from their mothers.   He postulated that these behaviors were a related to an evolutionary response for survival because the infants were dependent upon being in close proximity of the parent for essential needs to survive.  Thus, he proposed that the more secure infants felt with their attachment figures in regards to maintaining proximity the more likely the infant was to explore their environments (Fraley, n.d.).  

Mary Ainsworth expanded upon this concept by conducting the first empirical study that would identify the patterns of attachment behaviors or styles (Fraley, n.d.) There are four identified infant attachment styles, the first three were determined by Ainsworth and her colleagues in the 1970’s and the fourth, the disorganized type more recently in the 1990’s by Carlson and Main (Walsh, 2010).

Secure – infants that display secure attachments will be somewhat distressed upon separation from their mothers but still greet them enthusiastically upon their return.  These children display more engagement in exploratory behaviors within their environment (Walsh, 2010).

Anxious-ambivalent – infants that display anxious-ambivalent attachments will demonstrate distress upon being separated from their mothers and again when they return.  Parents of these infants may be inconsistent in their responses to the infant, which provokes the child to be hypervigilant for any signs of rejection (Walsh, 2010).

Avoidant types – infants that display avoidant attachments will be undisturbed upon being separated from their mother and again on her return.  This suppression of emotions may be a way of avoiding rejection from the parent (Walsh, 2010). 

Disorganized – infants displaying disorganized attachments demonstrate no predictable strategies for bonding with their mothers.  This chaotic behavior is thought to be reflective of parents who are either hostile or fearful and are unable to provide a consistent sense of security for the child (Walsh, 2010). 

Below are two informative videos that provide a brief background on John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth and their respective work:

John Bowlby:

Mary Ainsworth:

            

References

Fraley, R. C. (n.d). A brief overview of adult attachment theory and research. Retrieved from: 
http://internal.psychology.illinois.edu/~rcfraley/attachment.htm

Walsh, T. (2010). Theories for direct social work practice (2nd ed.). CA. Belmont: Brooks/Cole.