Bowlby Attachment Theory
Attachment theories on development
John Bowlby
John Bowlby believed that mental health and behavioral problems could be attributed to early childhood. Bowlby’s evolutionary theory of attachment suggests that children come into the world biologically pre-programmed to form attachments with others, because this will help them to survive.
Bowlby's studies in childhood development and "temperament" led him to the conclusion that a strong attachment to a caregiver provides a necessary sense of security and foundation. Without such a relationship in place, Bowlby found that a great deal of developmental energy is expended in the search for stability and security. In general, those without such attachments are fearful and are less willing to seek …show more content…
out and learn from new experiences.
John Bowlby’s theory helps support children’s development emotionally through having a bond with children and being able to work with them better. Bowlby’s theory shows that without attachment with a child there comes little confidence! Showing that a child will follow and ‘attach’ to something to learn from. With a closer bond a child is more comfortable and at ease to learn and develop more! The baby who is attached strongly to a caregiver has several of his or her most immediate needs met and accounted for. Consequently, they are able to spend a great deal more time observing and interacting with their environments. Their development is facilitated.
Hazan and Shaver
While studies of children are often instrumental in the field of developmental psychology, that field is ideally supposed to address the development of the entire human organism, including the stage of adulthood.
In the 1980s, Cindy Hazan and Phillip Shaver were able to garner a lot of attention, then, when they turned attachment theory on adult relationships. In their studies, they looked at a number of couples, examining the nature of the attachments between them, and then observed how those couples reacted to various stressors and stimuli. In the case of adults, it would seem that a strong attachment is still quite important. For example, in cases where the adults had a weak attachment, there were feelings of inadequacy on the part of both parties. When attachments were too strong, there were issues with co-dependency. The relationships functioned best when both parties managed to balance intimacy with independence. Much as is the case with developing children, the ideal situation seemed to be an attachment that functioned as a secure base from which to reach out and gain experience in the world.
Hazan and Shaver’s theory is showing that an attachment is not just coming from the child but also needs to come from the adult as well. When an attachment comes from the adult as well as the child the attachment is stronger and experiences are acted out better. Adults can teach better and show a better role model for child to learn from when their attachment is existent. Children’s development will also be better because they can sense the attachment from the
adult.
John Bowlby
John Bowlby believed that mental health and behavioral problems could be attributed to early childhood. Bowlby’s evolutionary theory of attachment suggests that children come into the world biologically pre-programmed to form attachments with others, because this will help them to survive.
Bowlby's studies in childhood development and "temperament" led him to the conclusion that a strong attachment to a caregiver provides a necessary sense of security and foundation. Without such a relationship in place, Bowlby found that a great deal of developmental energy is expended in the search for stability and security. In general, those without such attachments are fearful and are less willing to seek …show more content…
out and learn from new experiences.
John Bowlby’s theory helps support children’s development emotionally through having a bond with children and being able to work with them better. Bowlby’s theory shows that without attachment with a child there comes little confidence! Showing that a child will follow and ‘attach’ to something to learn from. With a closer bond a child is more comfortable and at ease to learn and develop more! The baby who is attached strongly to a caregiver has several of his or her most immediate needs met and accounted for. Consequently, they are able to spend a great deal more time observing and interacting with their environments. Their development is facilitated.
Hazan and Shaver
While studies of children are often instrumental in the field of developmental psychology, that field is ideally supposed to address the development of the entire human organism, including the stage of adulthood.
In the 1980s, Cindy Hazan and Phillip Shaver were able to garner a lot of attention, then, when they turned attachment theory on adult relationships. In their studies, they looked at a number of couples, examining the nature of the attachments between them, and then observed how those couples reacted to various stressors and stimuli. In the case of adults, it would seem that a strong attachment is still quite important. For example, in cases where the adults had a weak attachment, there were feelings of inadequacy on the part of both parties. When attachments were too strong, there were issues with co-dependency. The relationships functioned best when both parties managed to balance intimacy with independence. Much as is the case with developing children, the ideal situation seemed to be an attachment that functioned as a secure base from which to reach out and gain experience in the world.
Hazan and Shaver’s theory is showing that an attachment is not just coming from the child but also needs to come from the adult as well. When an attachment comes from the adult as well as the child the attachment is stronger and experiences are acted out better. Adults can teach better and show a better role model for child to learn from when their attachment is existent. Children’s development will also be better because they can sense the attachment from the
adult.