Importance Of Attachment

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Attachment Attachment is one of the first coping systems a child learns, and it forms a mental representation of the child 's caregiver. This representation is of someone who can comfort the child in difficult moments. (Pillay, 2016) It is also know as when the child uses the primary caregiver as a secure foundation to explore and to have a safe haven, and a source of comfort. (Benoit, 2016) In 1969 Bowlby had a theory of attachment, and that it was centered on evolutionary thinking. Because infants are vulnerable and unable to fend for themselves they acquired attachment, to ensure their survival and ultimately their species. (McLeod, 2016) Based off of this theory, as long as an infant is well loved and its biological needs a constantly …show more content…

The children were all studied in their own home and a regular pattern was identified in the development of attachment. These patterns were then put into several stages of attachment beginning with Asocial, when very young infants (zero to six weeks) react in many ways, both social and non-social, and produce favourable reactions, such as a smile. The second stage being Indiscriminate attachment, occurs at 6 weeks to 7 months. Babies enjoy human company and respond equally to any caregiver. For example, they get upset when an individual ceases to interact with them, some at 3 month smile more at familiar faces and can be easily comfortable by a regular caregiver. Stage three is Specific Attachment, happens between seven and nine months. In this stage Special preferences for a single attachment figure occurs. The baby will look for a particular person for security, comfort and protection. It shows fear of strangers and unhappiness when separated from a special person (known as separation anxiety). Some babies show stranger fear and separation anxiety more frequently than others, this is seen as evidence that the baby has formed an attachment. This is usually developed by the time a baby is one. Lastly, the stage of Multiple Attachment occurs, this happens from ten months and onwards. In this stage the baby becomes increasingly independent and forms several

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