The Implications of Attachment Theory for Different Forms of Childcare

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The Implications of Attachment Theory for Different Forms of Childcare

Developmental psychologists are interested in the study of the

individual from conception to old age. One area of particular

interest is the significance of parent-child bonding. Attachment can

be defined as ‘an enduring bond of affection directed towards a

specific individual’ (Santrock, 2001). The nature of the relationship

between early attachment and later development is a central issue in

developmental psychology and, given the increasing proportion of women

with young children that go out to work, of specific interest is the

quality of care-giving that infants receive. This paper will firstly

describe the essential features of the attachment theory followed by a

critical evaluation of John Bowlby’s maternal deprivation hypothesis.

An examination will be made of the work carried out by Mary Ainsworth

(1978) on the nature of attachment relationships and finally an

evaluation of the ways in which these theories and research implicate

different forms of childcare will be explored.

John Bowlby (1930-80), was the key figure in the development of

attachment theory; the theory that children have a drive to feel

secure by forming an emotional bond with a primary care giver. Bowlby

(1951) developed his theory of maternal deprivation based on research

he carried out on juvenile delinquents who had experienced long

periods of separation from their primary care giver in the first few

years of their lives. What he concluded based on that research was

that maternal deprivation could seriously affect the mental health of

a child and moreover that an infant’s failure t...

... middle of paper ...

... (2001) Child Development, New York, McGraw-Hill

Stevenson, J. and Oates, J (1994) ‘Infant Individuality’ in Oates, J.

(ed) The Foundations of Development, Milton Keynes, The Open

University.

Suomi, S.J. and Harlow, H. F. (1972) cited in Cowie (1995) p. 9

Thomas and Chess (1977) cited in Stephenson & Oates (1994) p. 192

Tizard, B. and Hodges, J. (1978) cited in Cowie (1995) p 11

Tizard, B. and Rees J. (1975) cited in Cowie (1995) p.11

Tyszowka, M. (1991) cited in Cowie (19950 P. 26

Van Ijzendoorn, M.H. and Kroonenberg P.M. (1988), cited in Cowie

(1995) p.16

Weisner, T. S. and Gallimore, R. (1977) cited in Cowie (1995) p.23

Woodhead M., (1995) ‘Disturbing Behaviour in Young Children’ in

Barnes, P. (ed) Personal, Social and Emotional Development of

Children, Milton Keynes, The Open University.

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