Summary Of Attachment Theory

Attachment theory is a psychological theory dealing with a specific area of human relationships: the response to threats, hurt, or separation from loved ones. (Leadership glossary,2014) Erik Erikson developed a psychoanalytic theory of psychosocial development comprising eight stages; beginning in infancy and progressing to adulthood. At each stage, there are psychosocial crisis’ that occur and ultimately have a constructive or damaging affect on personality development. The subject of this case study is a sixteen-year-old white male, named Dean. Deans parents are divorced, he currently lives with his father, stepmother, and half-brother. Dean has limited contact with his biological mother. Dean has historically been an average student, with
It is also without merit to discuss stage seven, Generativity vs. Stagnation, occurring Between the ages of forty and sixty is when this stage in life occurs and Stage and stage eight, covering Integrity vs. Despair, from the age of sixty until death is when this stage occurs. For this case study, the focus on Deans development will center on stages four through six. There is some indication that Dean had a difficult time during stage four, Industry (competence) vs. Inferiority. At this stage, which occurs between the ages of 5 or 6 and 12 years (or puberty), children begin elementary school and begin to experience feelings of accomplishment and success. However, accomplishment and success are fostered by nurturing and encouragement. Dean did not receive nurturing and encouragement from his mother, as she abandoned him. Nor does Dean receive nurturing and encouragement from his father who does not encourage Dean to obtain grades beyond a “C” average, or his stepmother who is involve in volunteering and church actives, but not particularly attentive to Deans
Isolation. Intimacy can be of a sexual or intellectual nature. There is an opportunity to connect with others by conversational exchanges, experiences, or romantic relationships. In this stage people attempt to make connections that will develop into relationships. The failure to connect to other people can result in feelings of disparity or isolation. Dean observes Other males his age group, appear to have progressed in sexuality. Dean has experienced relationships with the opposite sex, but on a platonic basis only. He longs for a relationship or connection that allows him to experience feeling of being understood or accepted, but may experience the fearful attachment, “which is the product of negative models of both self and others. For individuals with this style, attachments are desirable but seen as out of reach.” (Broderick, P. C., Blewitt, 2014) The lack of being understood or accepted lead Dean to experience feelings of depression. The feeling of depression results in a more difficulty in attempting to connect with peers, and a worsened performance with schoolwork. The feelings of depression also lead to the use of alcohols as a cooping mechanism or means to act out, to the extent of begin arrested for