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Personal reflections on attachment theory
Strengths and weaknesses of attachment theory
Strengths and weaknesses of attachment theory
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Criticisms of attachment theory have come mainly from the feminist schools of thought since the theory has been used to argue that no woman with a young child should work outside the home or spend time away from her baby (Goodsell and Meldrum, 2010). Children’s experience and development also depend on what happens after early years, whether bad or good later in life may change a child’s emotional development, e.g. lack of basic needs, diet, education, stimulation such as play might affect a child’s development (Rutter, 1981) Difference in cultures have to be taken into consideration as well. A study by Schaffer and Emmerson (1964) provided contradictory evidence from Bowlby’s attachment theory. They noted attachment was more prominent at eight months, and afterwards children became attached to more than one person. By one year six months only 13%of infants had one attachment. This study by Schafer and Emmerson (1964) concluded care giver can be male or female and mothering can be a shared responsibility. Social workers should therefore understand that parents are not totally responsible for the way the children develop. They did give them their genes and therefore do have some influence. Attachment theory also fails to consider the fact that the father and siblings, and other close relatives can also This policy allows working couples to choose how they balance their work and parenting commitment to their new baby. The first two weeks are reserved for the mother but the remaining fifty weeks can be shared between both parents (Glegg, Swinson, 2013).This will definitely give chance to fathers to bond with their infants on an equal footing with the mother. Sarkadi, et al (2007) also suggests that policies should be made that fathers of young children may choose to do part time jobs so they can have time with their
Does the attachment theory provide a sound basis for advice on how to bring up children? To answer this question for advice to parents I will explore some of the details of the attachment theory showing, 1) earlier studies and more up to date criticisms, 2) how it proposes family members and day care can affect a child’s upbringing.
In this essay I will talk about the origins of Attachment Theory John Bowlby (1958, 1960) and a discussion of the ‘Strange Situation’ (Ainsworth et al., 1978). I will consider the ethics of the study, the social- cultural perspectives on the work and I will analyse how it has influenced policy decisions and practice within the Early Years Education Sector. John Bowlby formulated the basic tenets of Attachment theory. The background to his theory is based on his work he had undertaken after he graduated from University in 1928 he went on to volunteer in a school for maladjusted children, later starting a career as a child psychiatrist (Senn, 1977). The basis of his attachment theory was that the infant or child suffered if he did not have “…a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with his mother (or permanent mother substitute) in which both find satisfaction and enjoyment” (Bowlby, 1951, p. 13). In this period - post war Britain, there had been a shift in women’s roles before they had taken on many male jobs due to absence of men because of the war. However after the war, nurseries were closed and women were back at home as primary carers. This support Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation and other physiological ideas which supported that children would be negatively affected without the full time presence of the mother.
Attachment is a complex evolutionary behavioral system that is intertwined with three other behavioral systems: exploratory, affiliative, and wariness. The behavioral systems that are involved with attachment behavior can be activated or terminated in different circumstances. The function of attachment is survival. Attachment can be found in many children’s books, although the two books examined in this essay are I love you all day long by Francesca Rusackas, and The kissing hand by…. These books show evidence of secure attachment through the process of separation and reunion.
Relationships serve as the communication channels that bond family members together. Attachment theory presents a way of recognizing and assessing the quality of relationships between family members (Landers et al, 2013). John Bowlby (1988) established attachment theory through the study of mammals and humans. He proposed that infants develop their initial relationship with their mother but not always. In addition, he suggested that this relationship serves as the foundation for all subsequent relationships throughout life. This initial relationship creates a subsystem within the family system. The mother’s responsiveness to the infant establishes the quality of attachment the infant will develop (Landers et al, 2013). In most cases, when an infant experiences their mother or primary caretaker as nurturing and responsive, the infant will develop a secure attachment. However, when the infant experiences a primary caretaker as unresponsive or inattentive, an insecure
As a result of his upbringing in a upper middle-class family in London that included a nanny, absent mother and a boarding school by the age of seven; and the time spent working as a volunteer in a school for maladjusted children; John Bowlby developed the attachment theory (Bretherton, 1992). His conclusion, based on his research and available empirical evidence, was that to grow up mentally healthy, an infant and young child should experience a warm, intimate, and continuous relationship with his mother or permanent caregiver. If this could be accomplished, both will e...
In psychological terms, development is a process spread over the entire lifespan of a human being. However, there is general consensus among developmental psychologists that from three years of age up to the end of adolescence is the most significant stage because whatever milestones achieved then will significantly influence the rest of one’s life (Daddis, 2010). The psychologists have shown that patterns of positive attachment developed early in life lead to better self-reliance and stronger self-esteem as one grows older. After studying the ways and the reasons humans develop in distinct stages of their life, psychologists found that adolescence, adulthood and ageing
Attachment theory is the idea that a child needs to form a close relationship with at least one primary caregiver. The theory proved that attachment is necessary to ensure successful social and emotional development in an infant. It is critical for this to occur in the child’s early infant years. However, failed to prove that this nurturing can only be given by a mother (Birns, 1999, p. 13). Many aspects of this theory grew out of psychoanalyst, John Bowlby’s research. There are several other factors that needed to be taken into account before the social worker reached a conclusion; such as issues surrounding poverty, social class and temperament. These factors, as well as an explanation of insecure attachment will be further explored in this paper.
Does early attachment always impact the later relationship? Harry F. Harlow revealed the importance of early secure attachment for healthy affectional development in the macaque monkey experiment. Likewise, Lucy Scott Brown and John Wright reported the significant relationship between early secure attachment experiences and sound adolescent development in their research (15). Yet, Jeong Shin An and Teresa M. Cooney found insecurity and mistrust from the early insecure attachment experiences can be reworked and resolved (411) through altruistic activities and social bonding (418).
“Attachment is as essential for the child’s psychological well-being as food is for physical health,” claimed Bowlby, B (2001, p.54). Bowlby claimed in this statement that attachment is a necessary thing that a child needs in order to develop healthily. There is evidence from other theorists who support Bowlby’s theory of attachment, such as Harlow, whose approach is based upon a caregiver’s sensitivity and attachment. Ainsworth is another theorist whose research supports Bowlby’s theory of attachment. In her strange situation study, she tested for the attachment types and what effects they had on a child’s behaviour.
Attachment is a physiological connection (emotional) that involves one enjoying care, comfort and pleasure of the other. This has a major impact in our romantic and relationship lives. There are three main attachment styles in which one can decide his/her type according to the description offered. They are secure attachment style, avoidant attachment style and ambivalent attachment style. Understanding our styles is very important as it helps us be aware of our strengths and vulnerabilities in relationships so as to find ways to make our relationships work (schultheiss, D. P, 1995).
The two theories that resonate must with me is attachment theory and family systems theory. A lot of the older individuals I work with grew up in institutions designed to care for individuals with developmental disabilities. In the 1960’s, parents of children born with a disability were encouraged by medical professions to place the child in an institution and forget about them. Institutions in the sixties, were a nightmare for residents living in them. The condition of the facilities was atrocious, residents were routinely psychically and sexually abused by other residents and staff, and all individuals were segregated from the community or others. An understanding of attachment theory is beneficial when working with the adults now residing
Attachment is the emotional connection created by a child with their primary caregiver, which is normally the mother. An example of attachment is if the mother abandoned the baby and it cries from her absence. This connection normally begins when the child is around six months of age. It’s an essential element for infants to develop. Babies aren’t comfortable away from their mothers. It varies around the world, but attachment is still very important no matter where the infant is from. It is a very important component for a child to develop for their life (Child & Adolescent Development).
As states one of academic journal (Attachment and psychosocial functioning 2014), is states that John Bowlby believed that attachment is developed by babies smile, cry or clinging and these help the baby to survival, he also believed that attachment is just one universal for everybody and devised four stages of attachment. Pre-attachment (0-2 moths), attachment-in-the-making (2-6 months), clear-cut-attachment (6months- 3 – 4 years) and goal-corrected partnership. Bowlby’s theory states also about internal working model which mean that attachment with primary caregiver is lead to child’s development for example if mother isn’t warm, respond and doesn’t shows love, then this will has an impact on the child’s self-esteem, child will be unable to develop relationships with peers, even will develops depression. Bowlby’s journey about attachment has been start with children who were hospitalised and separated from their parents. His study opened his eyes how negative this situation was for the children. He believed that base of attachment from born is essential and if does not occur it brings negative consequences such as depression, aggression and affectionless
A mother’s role is of great significance to every child’s development. This essay aims to focus on the role of the mother in terms of sensitive and insensitive mothering (Ainsworth in Smith, Cowie & Blades, 2003) and how each affects the child socially and emotionally. We will explore Bowlby’s attachment theory (Bowlby 1988) and view Ainsworth’s research regarding the types of attachment (Ainsworth in Barnes, 1995). Furthermore we will look into Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory (Erikson in Stevens, 1983) emphasising on the first stage. Lastly, we will view research undertaken with children and adults to determine how early attachments impact the social and emotional development.
I initially learned of “attachment theory” during a child development course. My understanding is that “attachment” outlines the psychological bond between a person and their caregiver. The caregiver is identified as either maternal or a substitute. If strong connections are not established, deprivation can occur. Often times, emotional development is damaged creating behavioral issues. This form of emotional disconnection interferes with developing and maintaining structured relationships. The “attachment” theory increases my ideas and skills on how to enhance services provided to children and youth. I genuinely believe that I have the love, empathy, and concern to act as a substitute while