Attachment May Have Help the Huma Race to Survive

954 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: attachment concelpt in family systems

From an evolutionary perspective, attachment has helped the human race survive. Infants and young children need an attachment system and caregiver. Bowlby (1969) argued the attachment system influenced how a person thought, felt and behaved in relationships. Bowlby (1973) explained that these attachment systems are cognitive processes which begin early in a child's development and are likely to stay influential throughout their life through their personal expectations and behaviour. Since the 1970's attachment theory has been further refined by academics such as Collins and Read (1994) who state that the attachment system consists of working models which are internal knowledge structures that organise and interpret previous experiences. These are used to develop ‘if then’ situations that can be used when necessary. Collins and Allard (2001) explain that these working models, just like schemas, are hypothetical structures stored in long-term memory. Bowlby (1969) proposed that from infancy to adolescence individuals develop expectations of attachment figures based on the experiences and environments they were exposed to, to be then incorporated into the working models of attachment. According to Collins and Allard (2001) attachment in adulthood can be defined into four attachment styles; secure, preoccupied, dismissing and fearful. These are derived from two underlying dimensions, anxiety and avoidance. Attachment style runs along a continuum and an individual will relate to different styles in different situations. Collins and Read (1994) propose that the working model is made up of four components, the first being memories of experiences related to attachment. The second comprised of the attitudes, beliefs and expectations a p... ... middle of paper ... ...uals do care, they are able to have relationships with other people. The purpose of this report is to reinforce the findings of previous research by investigating whether relationship conflict in a romantic relationship where one of the partner’s attachment orientation is avoidant does lead to negative feelings of self. There are three hypotheses, the first is that attachment-avoidance will be positively associated with increase in negative emotions; the second hypothesis suggests that attachment-avoidance will be positively associated with increased levels of relationship conflict and the third suggests a higher level of relationship conflict will be positively related to increase feelings of negative emotions. The study is a diary study looking at Romantic and Close relationships and for the purpose of this report only the romantic condition will be investigated.

Show More
Related

  • Importance Of Neuroscience And Theories

    828 Words  | 2 Pages

    The attachment process plays a crucial role in a child’s development and their future impact on society According to Dr Suzanne Zeedyk. Children can’t feel relaxed and safe with the adults & children in the nursery until they get to know them. If there’s a lack of affection towards a child they may be reluctant to take advantage of all the learning opportunities because of their anxiety. We now know that relationships literally shape the neural connections in young children’s brains. This means everything that happens or doesn’t happen for the child will leaves a physiological trace in their growing brain. According to Dr Suzanne

    Read More

  • Can Attachment Theory Explain All Our Relationships, By Bethany Saltman

    766 Words  | 2 Pages

    Attachment theory could be considered one of the most important aspects of how we develop starting out as an infant. In the article “Can Attachment Theory Explain All Our Relationships” By: Bethany Saltman, she explains to us her personal experience and struggles raising her daughter, and her experience as a child and her own attachment. There are three types of attachment types, secure, avoidant, and resistant and the trouble with today is that only 60% of people are considered “secure”. There also subgroups that are called disorganization. Attachment will often pass generation to generation, so it is likely that if someone has an insecure attachment because of the way they were raised they will struggle to create a secure attachment for their own children. Although it can be reversed and changed with the

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Adult Attachment Interview

    773 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout a person’s lifetime- infancy, childhood, and adolescence- a variety of positive and negative influences occur that may elicit change in the development of attachment. Evolutionary and psychological levels are introduced as an argument somewhat similar to the nature or nurture dilemma. In the evolutionary bias, Bowlby (1973) describes humans as being born with an “innate bias,” in the way they become attached. The second level, the psychological level, attachments are described as being more environmentally labile during their life

    Read More

  • Attachment Theory: Systematic Analysis Of The Family Of Origin

    1912 Words  | 4 Pages

    The first topic that came up in the interview relates to idea of attachment theory. Attachment theory explains the human’s way of relating to a caregiver and receives an attachment figures relating to the parent, and children. In addition, the concept explains the confidence and ability for a child to free explore their environment with a place to seek support, protection, and comfort in times of distress (Levy, Ellison, Scott, and Bernecker, 2010, p. 193). Within attachment theory explains different types of attachment styles that children experience during early childhood. These attachment styles affect the relationships they continue to build in adulthood. The best attachment style happens when the parent is attuned to the child during his or her early childhood called secure attachment (Reyes, 2010, p. 174). In order for complete secure attachment, the child needs to feel safe, seen, and soothed. Any relationship that deviates from this model represents the anxious or insecure attachment. This means that parents or caregivers are inconsistently responsive to the children. Children who have these parents are usually confused and insecure. Some children experience a dismissive attachment where they

    Read More

  • Health and Social Care

    1450 Words  | 3 Pages

    Attachments are formed with parents; this contributes to give a sense of who we are and who we will become in later life. However where these attachments are broken the child needs to have a secure attachment established with an alternative adult care giver,...

    Read More

  • The Attachment Theory and Factors Damaging to Attachment

    1156 Words  | 3 Pages

    Relationships are the building block for personality and are significant in children’s ability to grow into substantial individuals who can thrive in an often harsh world. Constructing lasting and fulfilling relationships is an integral part to development as the interpersonal bonds forged are not only highly sought after but also set the ground work for all upcoming expressive interactions. Relationships and attachment go hand in hand as attachment is the strong and lasting linkage established between a child and his or her caregiver. Moreover, attachment significantly influences a large capacity of ones make up as it these first relationships that teaches morals, builds self-esteem, and develops a support system. The pioneers of Attachment Theory realized early on that human beings are not solely influenced by drives but that the earliest bonds formed by children with their caregivers greatly impact their ability to forge lasting relationships later in life. John Bowlby was first to introduce this theory to the masses in the 1950’s, and later Mary Ainsworth conducted further research to expand on Bowlby’s theory which proclaims that attachment is a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings” (Bowlby, 1969, p. 194). The attachment bond theory by both Bowlby and Ainsworth focuses on the significance of the relationship between babies and their caretakers which research has suggested is accountable for influencing impending interactions, firming or injuring our capabilities to concentrate, being aware of our emotional states, self-soothing capabilities, and the capacity to be resilient in the face of hardship. Additionally, this research has provided a framework for assisting in describing these att...

    Read More

  • Childhood Correlations of Healthy Adult Relationships

    914 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...ors throughout the study. The authors aim to convince the general audience that there is a connection between the attachment theory and adult romantic relationships that should be considered throughout other studies and research. In the study, there were no sex differences obtained in three attachment styles, nor in the background questions; authors assume that conditions are generally the same between both sexes. While the data supports the position, attachment styles correlate with adult love relationships, the different conditions of both sexes are not considered within this study which affects the reliability of this data and what it supports. Additionally, the studies data was immensely accumulated from questionnaires, biased results could have been created based off the questions that were asked or the current situation or mood the subjects were experiencing.

    Read More

  • Infant Attachment Essay

    2096 Words  | 5 Pages

    It has been proposed that infant attachment styles do not change after the first year of life, the following essay will argue against this prompt in that ones attachment style will change continuously throughout life. Attachment theory is based on the joint work of Bowlby and Ainsworth (Bretherton, 1992). In recent years the idea of ‘attachment’ has become and increasingly popular debate within developmental psychology (Bretherton, 1992). Attachment theory provides an explanation on how parent and child relationships are formed and the important role they play in child development. However majority of the research into attachment has focused on identifying the stability of attachment rather then identifying the possible insatiability of

    Read More

  • Importan Attachment Theory

    888 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to (Pittman, Keiley, & Kerpelman, 2011), Bowlby theorized that it is the interactions between people that form connections and develop attachments. There are four different types of attachments; secure, avoidant, and anxious ambivalent. When we look at this theory applied to children we see that a secure attachment is when children are most comfortable when their parents are around and are easy to soothe by the parents. Insecure or avoidant attachment is when the child doesn’t prefer to be near the parents and could care less if the parents are absent. This happened when the parents failed to meet their child’s needs, despite a child expressing their needs. Anxious ambivalent attachment is when the child won’t leave their parents side, even if it is to explore their surroundings, is distraught if the parents leave, and mistrusting if the parents try to comfort after leaving (Arnett, & Maynard,

    Read More

  • Attachment Theory

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cassidy, J., & Shaver, P.R. (1999). Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications. New York: The Guilford Press.

    Read More

  • Comparing John Erikson And Mary Ainsworth And John Bowlby

    1061 Words  | 3 Pages

    The attachment theory, presented by Mary Ainsworth in 1969 and emerged by John Bowlby suggests that the human infant has a need for a relationship with an adult caregiver, and without a subsequent, development can be negatively impacted (Hammonds 2012). Ainsworth proposes that the type of relationship and “attachment” an infant has with the caregiver, can impact the social development of the infant. As stated by Hammonds (2012), attachment between a mother and a child can have a great impact on the child 's future mental

    Read More

  • The Importance of Attachment for the Children's Development

    865 Words  | 2 Pages

    Psychologist, Mary Ainsworth expanded upon Bowlby's original work. She conducted a study labelled the ‘Strange Situation’. In the study, based upon the children’s reactions, Ainsworth described three major styles of attachment: secure attachment, ambivalent-insecure attachment, and avoidant-insecure attachment. Work by Stroufe and Waters in 1977, further supported Ainsworth's attachment styles and have indicated that attachment styles also have an impact on behaviours later in life (Birns, 1999, p. 13). Researchers have found strengths in attachment patterns established early in life can lead to a number of outcomes. For example, children who are securely attached as infants tend to develop stronger self-esteem and better self-reliance as they grow older. These children also tend to be more independent, perform better in school, have successful social relationships, and experience less depression and anxiety (Birns, 1999, p. 13).

    Read More

  • Origins and Solutions to Jealousy

    1091 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sharpsteen Don J. and Lee Kirkpatrick. "Romantic Jealousy and Adult Romantic Attachment" Journal of Personality And Social Psychology Vol. 72 (3) March 1997: 627-640. American Psychological Association

    Read More

  • Defining Intimacy: Processes Involved with Intimacy

    2259 Words  | 5 Pages

    Intimate relationships give meaning to life, a sense of identity, of well-being, of security, and of being needed. These relationships allow us to love and be loved. They bring a sense of security and lessen loneliness. Without intimacy there is emotional isolation, and emotional isolation increases the risk of physical and emotional disord...

    Read More

  • Bowlby’s Attachment Theory

    1167 Words  | 3 Pages

    “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.

    Read More

More about Attachment May Have Help the Huma Race to Survive

Open Document