The Attachment Theory: Lack Of Separation Anxiety

As teenagers, we’ve all waited for the day where we could live by ourselves. It might not be as easy as we think though. The Attachment Theory originates from John Bowlby, who worked as a psychiatrist at the Child Guidance Clinic in London. This theory states that a strong emotional and physical attachment to at least one primary caregiver is critical to personal development. Loss of a strong bond in your early years can lead to anxiety, maternal deprivation, and affectionless psychopathy.

Anxiety is an effect of the loss of contact between an infant and a caregiver. There are specific, and different anxieties that can come from this. Stranger anxiety is an infant’s response to the arrival of a stranger. Separation anxiety is the distress level of the infant when separated from caregiver, and degree of comfort needed on return. Psychologist Harry Harlow conducted an experiment on infant monkeys in order to record their reaction to certain amounts of isolation. According to Saul McLeod in the article “Attachment theory”, the monkeys that were isolated for a year and exposed to others reacted by rocking, tearing their hair out, and biting themselves. The monkeys involved in Harlow’s experiment were emotionally harmed and were consistently in a state of persistent fear and depression.
This syndrome, according to the New York Times Health Guide, is a form of failure to thrive that is caused by neglect- intentional or unintentional. Neglect severe enough can cause failures and in some cases death. It thrives in infants to two year olds with the absence of interplay and physical contact. According to Inge Brethorton in the article “The Origins of The Attachment Theory”, infants and young children need to develop a secure dependence on parents before launching out into unfamiliar situations. In order for the attachment to be strong the adult needs to be sensitive with the child and his or her