Attachment Theory: John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth

Separation Anxiety

First evident between 6 and 8 months of age, when a baby is distressed when separated from his or her primary caregiver.

Stranger Activity

First manifested at approximately 8 months of age, when a baby is distressed by seeing a stranger's face as opposed to the face of a familiar person, such as the child's mother.

Protest Phase

The child angrily protests when separated from his or her mother.

Despair/Depression Phase:

The child's angry protests are replaced with despair manifested by crying for the mother, which then turns into depression.

Detachment Phase

The child achieves a detached state through repression; this is seen as an adaptive response for most children but, if overused, becomes problematic.

Anaclitic Depression

A type of depression that develops in infants who initially have supportive and caring mother but who are removed from her care for one reason or another.

Characteristics of Attachment

1. Proximity Maintenance
2. Safe Haven
3. Secure Base
4. Separation Distress

Proximity Maintenance

Refers to the desire to be near the people to whom we are attached.

Safe Haven

Refers to returning to the attachmnt figure for comfort and safety in the face of a fear or threat.

Secure Base

A point of security (usually the mother) from which a child can explore the surrounding environment without fear of abandonment.

Separation Distress

Refers to anxiety that occurs in the absence of attachment figure.

Styles of Attachment

1. Secure Attachment
2. Ambivalent-Insecure Attachment
3. Avoidant Attachment

Secure Attachment

The term Ainsworth used to describe a child's assurance that his or her parent or caregiver will return if they have been temporarily separated. The child experiences distress when separated and then joy when reunited. Children with secure attachment to their caregivers will return to seek comfort from them if they are frightened.

Ambivalent-Insecure Attachment

Refers to children who become unusually distressed when the parent or caregiver leaves. This type of attachment may be the result of a mother figure that is not available when the child is in need; therefore, the child cannot depend on the mother or caregiver.

Avoidant Attachment

refers to children who tend to avoid being with caregivers or parents. These children do not prefer a caregiver over a complete stranger. It is speculated that these children may avoid attachment because they were abused or neglected. Children who are in this category learn to avoid seeking help.

Disorganized-Insecure Attachment

Later added by researchers Main and Solomon.

Characteristics of this type of attachment include a mix of behavior. The children may avoid or resist parents or caregivers. It is speculated that these children lack a clear attachment pattern, which is likely the result of a parent or caregiver being inconsistent in their behavior toward the child. The child learns that the parent or caregiver may be a source of fear at times and at other times a source of comfort.

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Research suggests that early attachment problems can result in negative consequences in a child's behavior in later life. Children who are diagnosed with some mental disorders (Conduct disorder, oppositional-defiant disorder, post-traumatic disorder).