theory response

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John Bowlby proposed attachment theory. His theory of attachment was influenced by Freud’s theories as well. The first being that infant’s earliest relationships with their mothers have a huge impact on their later development. Bowlby developed the idea of the infant using its primary caregiver as a secure base. This refers to the idea that the presence of a trusted caregiver provides an infant or toddler with a sense of security that makes it possible for the child to explore the environment. Bowlby explained his attachment theory in four phases. The first phase is the preattachment phase and it goes from birth to six weeks. In this phase, the infant cries and that alerts the caregiver of the infants needs and the infant is comforted by the caregiver. The next phase is the attachment-in-the-making which goes from six weeks to six to eight months. In this phase infants respond more to familiar people. The next phase is clear-cut attachment and it goes from six to eight months to one year and a half. At this stage, they may show signs of separation anxiety when separated from their mother. The last phase is reciprocal relationships which goes from one and a half to two years and on. At this point, separation anxiety declines and the caregiver and child work together as the child takes an active role in developing.

In insecure attachment, infants and children have a less positive attachment. Insecurely attached children fall into three categories: insecure/resistant (ambivalent), insecure avoidant, or disorganized/disoriented. Mary Ainsworth began working with John Bowlby. Her research on children that were labeled insecure/resistant (ambivalent) showed that infants in this category were often clingy and stayed close to their mother. If the mother leaves the room, these children tend to get very upset. When their mother comes back, they may rush to her showing they want to be picked up but then will try and get free from her embrace. In the insecure avoidant category, these children tend to avoid their mother. They will not greet her during reunions and not acknowledge her when she is in the room. The infants labeled disorganized/disoriented seem to want to approach their mother but also fear her and tend to withdraw from her.

Insecure attachment can affect the bonding process between the caregiver and child. As you can see from the descriptions of the types of insecure attachment above, when a child does not experience a positive attachment to their caregiver, it can cause them to feel emotionally disconnected to their caregiver along with feeling confused and unconfident.

Siegler, R., DeLoache, J., Eisenberg, N. & Saffran, J (2014). How children develop (4th Edition). New York, NY: Worth.

theory response

Order Description
Please respond to views below

John Bowlby proposed attachment theory. His theory of attachment was influenced by Freud’s theories as well. The first being that infant’s earliest relationships with their mothers have a huge impact on their later development. Bowlby developed the idea of the infant using its primary caregiver as a secure base. This refers to the idea that the presence of a trusted caregiver provides an infant or toddler with a sense of security that makes it possible for the child to explore the environment. Bowlby explained his attachment theory in four phases. The first phase is the preattachment phase and it goes from birth to six weeks. In this phase, the infant cries and that alerts the caregiver of the infants needs and the infant is comforted by the caregiver. The next phase is the attachment-in-the-making which goes from six weeks to six to eight months. In this phase infants respond more to familiar people. The next phase is clear-cut attachment and it goes from six to eight months to one year and a half. At this stage, they may show signs of separation anxiety when separated from their mother. The last phase is reciprocal relationships which goes from one and a half to two years and on. At this point, separation anxiety declines and the caregiver and child work together as the child takes an active role in developing.

In insecure attachment, infants and children have a less positive attachment. Insecurely attached children fall into three categories: insecure/resistant (ambivalent), insecure avoidant, or disorganized/disoriented. Mary Ainsworth began working with John Bowlby. Her research on children that were labeled insecure/resistant (ambivalent) showed that infants in this category were often clingy and stayed close to their mother. If the mother leaves the room, these children tend to get very upset. When their mother comes back, they may rush to her showing they want to be picked up but then will try and get free from her embrace. In the insecure avoidant category, these children tend to avoid their mother. They will not greet her during reunions and not acknowledge her when she is in the room. The infants labeled disorganized/disoriented seem to want to approach their mother but also fear her and tend to withdraw from her.

Insecure attachment can affect the bonding process between the caregiver and child. As you can see from the descriptions of the types of insecure attachment above, when a child does not experience a positive attachment to their caregiver, it can cause them to feel emotionally disconnected to their caregiver along with feeling confused and unconfident.

Siegler, R., DeLoache, J., Eisenberg, N. & Saffran, J (2014). How children develop (4th Edition). New York, NY: Worth.