John Bowlby's Attachment Theory
The attachment theory came about in the early 1950’s from psychologists John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. The definition of attachment according to Bowlby is the enduring deep emotional bond between a child and a specific caregiver. Bowlby described attachment as a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings” (Bowlby, 1969, p. 194). Bowlby believed that attachment characterized human experience from "the cradle to the grave." Attachment is not only present in infants but it continues throughout adulthood. The ethics of care implies that there are fundamental elements of a relationships and dependences in human life. Bowlby wrote that attachment bonds have four defining characteristics; safe haven, secure base, proximity maintenance,
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Erikson prefigured the attachment theory to stress the significance of a child’s ability to trust their caregivers to meet their needs as the foundation for upcoming social and emotional development. Erikson’s theory has eight stages of development. The eight stages are Trust vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, Initiative vs. Guilt, Industry vs. Inferiority, Identity vs. Confusion, Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, and Integrity vs. Despair. Both Erikson’s theory & the attachment theory continue throughout an individual’s lifespan. The first stage of Trust vs. Mistrust can be compared with attachment. It occurs between birth-1 year old and it’s the most fundamental stage in life. This is the stage where the infant develops trust for their caregiver. If an infant develops trust they will feel safe & secure in the world. If an infant does not develop trust in their caregivers (if they are inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or reject them), the infant will believe that the world is inconsistent and unpredictable. The attachment theory also has, on some basis, Trust vs. Mistrust. In the attachment theory, if a child is asked if their attachment figure is nearby, and they respond “yes” he/she feels loved, secure, and confident, and, behaviorally, is likely to explore his or her environment, play with others, and be sociable. If the child’s answer is no he/she experiences anxiety and, behaviorally, is likely to exhibit attachment behaviors ranging from simple visual searching on the low extreme to active following and vocal signaling on the
Erikson prefigured the attachment theory to stress the significance of a child’s ability to trust their caregivers to meet their needs as the foundation for upcoming social and emotional development. Erikson’s theory has eight stages of development. The eight stages are Trust vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, Initiative vs. Guilt, Industry vs. Inferiority, Identity vs. Confusion, Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, and Integrity vs. Despair. Both Erikson’s theory & the attachment theory continue throughout an individual’s lifespan. The first stage of Trust vs. Mistrust can be compared with attachment. It occurs between birth-1 year old and it’s the most fundamental stage in life. This is the stage where the infant develops trust for their caregiver. If an infant develops trust they will feel safe & secure in the world. If an infant does not develop trust in their caregivers (if they are inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or reject them), the infant will believe that the world is inconsistent and unpredictable. The attachment theory also has, on some basis, Trust vs. Mistrust. In the attachment theory, if a child is asked if their attachment figure is nearby, and they respond “yes” he/she feels loved, secure, and confident, and, behaviorally, is likely to explore his or her environment, play with others, and be sociable. If the child’s answer is no he/she experiences anxiety and, behaviorally, is likely to exhibit attachment behaviors ranging from simple visual searching on the low extreme to active following and vocal signaling on the