Bowlby and the Attachment Theory

Bowlby and the Attachment theory

By: Gavin Bashore

Who was John Bowlby and what was his attachment theory all about? John Bowlby was a British psychologist who was notable for his interest in child development and for his pioneering work in the attachment theory. His attachment theory went through what happened when a child was nurtured and when a child was not. As well as the implications of the children later into their lives as they became adults.

Origins of Attachment start within the womb as a fetus feeds off of the mother. A one year old infant creates an attachment or a powerful bond/ survival impulse to become close to their caregivers. Infants become attached typically to their parents or who they are comfortable or familiar with, normally their mother. Contact is key to attachment as well as familiarity. In animals attachment is based on familiarity often. The attachment is formed during a Critical period - an optimal period when certain events must take place to facilitate proper development.

Attachment differences vary. What accounts for children's attachment differences? Placed in a strange situation sixty percent of infants display secure attachment. With their mother present they are relaxed. When she leaves they are distressed. When she comes back they seek contact with her. Other infants avoid attachment or show insecure attachment. They are shy to explore new surroundings. They may cling to their mother and when she leaves they may cry loudly. A father's love is as important as a mothers when determining the well being of the child in the future.

Attachment and adult relationships are very closely linked. Securely attached children approach life with a sense of Basic trust - a sense that the world is predictable and reliable. Many researchers now believe that our early attachments form the foundation for our adult relationships' and our comfort with affection and intimacy. This stresses the importance of forming a special bond with a child to secure a better future for that child.

Deprivation of attachment often shows some of the most terrible results when speaking of attachments. Babies reared in institutions without the stimulation and attention of a regular caregiver or locked away at a home under conditions of abuse or extreme neglect are often withdrawn and frightened even speechless. Those abandoned in Romanian orphanages looked "frighteningly like monkeys" These children often bore emotional scars like the Harlow monkeys. In humans the unloved sometimes become the unloving sadly. Most parents who were abusive where abused or neglected as a child. Some thirty percent who had been abused do abuse their children. This is a terrible statistic.

Parenting styles, there are three main parenting styles that are used in today's society.