John Bowlby
Attachment Theory
http://shvedovskaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/bowlbyjohn.jpg
“If a community
values its children
It must cherish their
parents.”
- John Bowlby
Edward John Mostyn Bowlby
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February 26, 1907 - September 2, 1990
British psychologist and psychoanalyst
Influenced by Sigmund Freud
One of the pioneers of child development
Developer of Attachment theory
In the 20th century Bowlby was rated the top psychologist
“The infant and young child should experience a warm, intimate and
continuous relationship with his mother (or permanent mother substitute)
in which both find satisfaction and enjoyment.” (Milite, 2001)
Attachment Theory
Children are born instinctively to attach to others
Attachment relationships act as a prototype for future relationships
Disruptions can have severe consequences
0-5 years old is important to have an attachment to a caregiver or can cause
irreversible developmental consequences
Reduced intelligence and increased aggression with avoidant type of attachment
(McLeod, 2009)
Attachment Styles
● Secure attachment
● Avoidant attachment
● Resistant attachment
● Disorganized/ disoriented
attachment
https://babydustdiaries.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/picture25.png
(Balan, 2013)
Four Stages of Secure Attachment
Pre-attachment phase(birth - 6 weeks)
Attachment in the making (6 weeks - 8 months)
Clear cut attachment phase(8 months - 2 years)
http://www.staticwhich.co.uk/media/images/incontent/mother-and-child-352411.jpg
Formation of reciprocal relationship(2 years - and on)
(Health & Medicine, Technology, 2013)
Strengths
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Significance of a solid relationship
with parent/guardian
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Main explanation of attachment
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Easy to understand
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Explains why some children have
mental health disorders
Weaknesses
Difficult to prove
Mainly focuses on the mother’s impact
Focuses only on one primary caregiver
instead of multiple care providersers
Connection to Adolescence
● Parents continue to be a significant part of adolescent
years
● Healthy relationships with parents helps adolescents
develop social and coping skills.
● Less risk of behavioural problems, mental disorders
● Healthy development (Paediatric Child Health. 2004)
http://www.cdc.gov/features/parentengagement/
Harlow's Monkey Experiment
Orphan monkeys always chose “tactile comfort” over necessities such as food
Baby monkeys showed anxiety when separated from cloth
Monkeys who grew up without real relationships showed signs later on
(McLeod, 2009)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O60TYAIgC4
Theory and Society
● Peer relationships lack the intensity as early childhood attachment
relationships
● Adolescents rely less on main attachment figures, peers become the base
of providing support
● Secure attachments as adolescents are better prepared to work through
challenges
● Anxious adolescents are prone to risky sexual behaviors and crave
closeness
● Avoidant adolescents may shun or look for casual or exploitative
encounters
(Allen, & Miga, 2010)
Discussion Questions
1. Which of John Bowlby’s four stages of attachment
seems most important? Why?
1. How are Erikson and Bowlby’s theories similar?
1. Which Theory do you prefer, John Bowlby’s or Erik
Erikson’s and why?
The Blind Side
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I24d30buecw
Sources
Milite, George A.. "Bowlby, John." Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology. 2001. Retrieved November 05, 2015 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G23406000097.html
McLeod, S. A. (2009). Attachment Theory. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html
Balan, P. (2013). Bowlby's theory of attachment. Retrieved November 16, 2015, from http://www.slideshare.net/preethibalan9/bowlbys-theory-of-attachment
Allen, J., & Miga, E. (2010). Attachment in adolescence: A move to the level of emotion regulation. Retrieved from Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
http://shvedovskaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/bowlby-john.jpg
https://babydustdiaries.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/picture25.png
http://www.cdc.gov/features/parentengagement/
http://www.staticwhich.co.uk/media/images/in-content/mother-and-child-352411.jpg