How Do Attachments in Early Childhood Can Have Positive and Negative Consequences?

Maccoby defines attachment as `a relatively enduring emotional tie to a specific other person.' Human infants seem to have an innate sense of willingness to form attachment relationships almost instantly. This bonding is naturally a two way process.

One of the most influential psychologists in the field of attachments is John Bowlby. Bowlby performed his elementary psychological studies in the late 1960's, which undoubtedly caused a stir amongst close families and the setting of the times. He believed strongly in the idea of monotropy. This is the sense that all infants need one special attachment relationship, and this gives the child the ability to experience deep feelings. Bowlby claimed that a `warm, intimate, continuous relationship with the mother or mother substitute is essential.' Now, one has to appreciate the times and context that Bowlby is referring to. There has been a lot of research into the Fathers essential role in bringing up a child, and creating an attachment bond. In the sixties and seventies, it was natural for the mother to look after a child. It is of course becoming more popular in modern times for Fathers to be the primary caregiver.

A child's developmental outcome appears not to be affected by the primary caregiver's gender, according to research by Park, 2002.

There is no doubt that Bowlby felt the necessity and importance of forming attachments, as he once quoted, `Mother love in infancy and childhood is as important for mental health as are vitamins and proteins for physical health. Attachment for Bowlby was more than a simple emotional bond, but provided a secure state of mind for infants, and was even more vital to human development. Bowlby then leads on to say that the attachments ...

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... I also believe that living in foster care can be very comfortable, and being adopted can feel like you belong to a family. Attachment can definitely have positive effects on you as a person, but to break bonds can prove distressing, and disturbing, as these psychologists have discovered. However no one can ever change who we are, or how we act around people. We are all different and no one can be stereotyped, or blend into the crowd, we are all individual and therefore attachment can be personal, as well as a simple term to define how we connect with others.

References

Hill, G. (2001) Psychology: Oxford Univeristy Press

Schaffer, H.R (2003) Introducing Child Psychology: Blackwell Publishing

Carlson, N.R, Buskist, W, Martin, G.N, (2000) Psychology the Science of Behaviour: Pearson Education

Hayes, N. (2000) Foundations of Psychology: Thompson Learning