Secure Attachment

Attachment plays a vital role in social development. When one becomes comfortable with another person, they then sense a feeling of attachment. Therefore, attachment can best be described as, “the positive emotional bond that develops between a child and a particular, special individual” (Feldman, 2014). Social development occurs at an early age and has an impact on allowing individuals to develop social relationships. The four attachment styles secure attachment, avoidant attachment, ambivalent attachment, and disorganized-disoriented attachment are not always universal, nor “biologically determined; they are susceptive to strong cultural influences” (Feldman, 2014). The process of social development during infancy is very decisive to the child.
Early studies on attachment started with ethnologist Konrad Lorenz. To him, attachment was based on food and safety, which

are biological needs. Theorists such as Harry Harlow agreed with Lorenz. However, Harlow thought that attachment was not based mainly on food alone. He experimented attachment on monkeys and found that contact comfort was an important aspect in attachment. John Bowlby conducted studies of attachment on humans. To him, safety was the main motivation behind attachment. Bowlby expressed that through the process of attachment, a child becomes solely independent.
Techniques to measure attachment are found using the Ainsworth strange situation.

The Ainsworth Strange Situation is an “experimental technique used to classify children’s attachment styles” (Feldman, 2014). When a child reaches the age or one he or she starts to experience pm pf the four patterns. During secure attachment, parents remain a constant “caregiver” for their child. Securely attached children normally use the adult as a base, from which they become independent. When a child becomes self-contained, they are experiencing the avoidant attachment pattern. Children with this attachment pattern seem to have no distressed when the mother leaves or when she returns they tend to avoid her. A child with an ambivalent attachment style will show both “positive and negative reactions to their mothers” (Feldman, 2014). The child has mixed emotions towards their mother. They feel both distrustful and clingy to the mother. The final attachment style, disorganized-disoriented is a style of attachment where children are not attached to their mother. They are very confused and show unpredictable

behavior.
Out of all four attachment styles I think I would most fit into the secure attachment pattern. I believe this attachment style is the most stable. Being in college for me, is a hard thing to do when I am away from home. So, often times when I am scared I tend to seek comfort from my mother. However, at the same time I can be separated from her for weeks at a time and still act independent. I also think that this attachment styles fits me because I have a high self-esteem. I tend not to take things personally. I think as a securely attached person, I am more mature and less disruptive than someone who has a avoidant, ambivalent, or disorganized attachment pattern. I now have a relatively low anxiety. Moreover, I see myself as an truthful and open person. Thus, I believe that the secure attachment style fits me completely.
Reference
Feldman, R. (n.d.). Life span development: A topical approach (Second ed.).