Comparison of Theories of Attachment

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This essay will firstly explain the different stage that is associated with development of young people socially in the early years of their life, with examples of Schaffer and Emerson’s theory of stages of attachment. Next the essay will evaluate the theories of attachment between a child and their parents/guardians, evaluating Bowlby’s theory of attachment, and using examples from Freud’s ‘cupboard love theories’ and behavioural and psychoanalytic perspectives in comparison to Bowlby. Next it will look at any contributing factors that make a difference to individuals during attachment and looking at way fear and anxiety play a part during separation for children from their primary carer. After which the essay will respond to Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation, and look into any long term consequences that occur due to a result of this. According to Kagan et al. (1978) attachment is defined as “An intense emotional relationship that is specific to two people, that endures over time, and in which prolonged separation from the partner is accompanied by stress and sorrow” the definition shows attachment is important in life, and is said that our first attachment is very crucial to our development towards other relationships, e.g. with other family members, friends, and romantic relationships. Bowlby (1973) presented that newly born humans are vulnerable and they are genetically programmed to behave in certain ways to ensure survival, and also states mothers inherit a ‘genetic blueprint’ to respond to the baby at all times. The child’s attachment to their mothers will determine how close they are, and how the child acts around strangers, usually giving off any social responses in reaction to being scared, ill or in unfamiliar... ... middle of paper ... ...r behaviour was due to loss of mother-figure. However Rutter disproved this and found that this was due to privation that without ever developing any attachment this led to the children’s anti-social behaviour. Suomi and Harlow later found that effects of privation could be reversed with reference to Harlow’s earlier study on monkeys. This was later proved to be true along with Koluchova’s study on Czech twins. Their earlier life had little to no effect on their later life, in which they achieved highly in school and showed no signs of psychological abnormality or unusual behaviour. REFERENCES: • Doherty, J. and Hughes, M. 2009. Child development. Harlow, England: Pearson Longman. • Gross, R. D. 2005. Psychology. London: Hodder Arnold. • Gross, R. D., Mcilveen, R. and Coolican, H. 2000. Psychology. London: Hodder & Stoughton.

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