The Normal Symbiotic Phase: John Bowlby Theory

The Normal Symbiotic Phase extends from 4 to 6 weeks of age to 5 months where he is aware of oneness with his mother without a sense of individuality from the external environment. In the Separation-Individuation Phase: In this phase the infant breaks out connects and relates to the environment and starts separating and differentiating with the mother, while developing a sense of individuation with ego, identity, and cognitive abilities. There are 3 overlapping sub-phases: Hatching from the age of 5 to 9 months where he differentiates with the mother using her as appoint of reference for relating to the environment. Practicing from the age of 9 to 16 months where the infant slowly starts to become independent and relate more to the environment while still seeking the
The theory draws on the ethological theory and Lorenz’s (1935) study of imprinting. The theory claims that attachment behaviours are affected by conditions like separation, insecurity and fear. These attachment behaviours stimulate care from adults. This main attachment forms the prototype for all future social relationships. Bowlby claimed that attachment was universal but Ainsworth found that there were individual differences in attachment based on the primary paradigms of the sense of security of an individual. (Ainsworth & Bell, 1970) By using the Strange Situation Classification (SSC) for investigation of children. Three styles were deduced secure, insecure avoidant and insecure resistant based on early interactions with the mother. Thus, Ainsworth’s findings form the first empirical evidence for Bowlby’s attachment theory in as securely attached children will have a positive working model of themselves while attaching more respect and trust to oneself and others (Jacobsen, & Hoffman,