Attachment theory
Attachment theory is a psychological, evolutionary and ethological theory concerning relationships between humans. The most important tenet of attachment theory is that a young child needs to develop a relationship with at least one primary caregiver for social and emotional development to occur normally. Attachment theory explains how the parent-child relationship emerges and influences subsequent development.
History[edit | edit source]
Attachment theory originated with the work of John Bowlby, a British psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who in the mid-20th century brought attention to the importance of the child-caregiver relationship for the child's emotional and social development.
Types of Attachment[edit | edit source]
There are four main types of attachment identified in children: secure attachment, anxious-resistant insecure attachment, anxious-avoidant insecure attachment, and disorganized attachment.
Secure Attachment[edit | edit source]
Children with a secure attachment see their parent as a secure base from which they can venture out and independently explore the world.
Anxious-Resistant Insecure Attachment[edit | edit source]
Children with an anxious-resistant insecure attachment tend to be anxious and are not explorative.
Anxious-Avoidant Insecure Attachment[edit | edit source]
Children with an anxious-avoidant insecure attachment tend to avoid parents or caregivers.
Disorganized Attachment[edit | edit source]
Children with a disorganized attachment often display a confusing mix of behavior and may seem disoriented, dazed, or confused.
Attachment in Adults[edit | edit source]
Adult attachment models include secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant.
Criticisms[edit | edit source]
Attachment theory has been criticized for focusing too much on the mother-child bond and not enough on the relationships children form with other caregivers or peers.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Attachment theory Resources | ||
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