It is a psychological explanation for the emotional bonds and relationships between people.
This theory suggests that people are born with a need to forge bonds with caregivers.
These early bonds set the foundation for later relationships and continue to influence attachments throughout life.
Verywell / JR Bee
He described attachment as a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings.
“Bowlby was interested in understanding the anxiety and distress that children experience when separated from their primary caregivers.
Thinkers like Freud suggested that infants become attached to the source of pleasure.
Some of the earliestbehavioral theoriessuggested that attachment was simply a learned behavior.
These theories proposed that attachment was merely the result of the feeding relationship between the child and the caregiver.
Because the caregiver feeds the child and provides nourishment, the child becomes attached.
When children are frightened, they seek proximity from their primary caregiver for receive both comfort and care.
Understanding How Attachment Works
Attachment is an emotional bond with another person.
Through the process of natural selection, a motivational system designed to regulate attachment emerged.
So what determines successful attachment?
Hergroundbreaking “strange situation” studyrevealed the profound effects of attachment on behavior.
The infant monkeys were placed in cages with two wire-monkey mothers.
When frightened, the baby monkeys would turn to their cloth-covered mother for comfort and security.
Infants develop trust that the caregiver will respond to their needs.
This often includes a second parent, older siblings, and grandparents.
Failure to form early attachments can significantly affect social and emotional development.
This attachment style might be a result of abusive or neglectful caregivers.
Children who are punished for relying on a caregiver will learn to avoid seeking help in the future.
They may avoid or resist the parent.
Lack of a clear attachment pattern is likely linked to inconsistent caregiver behavior.
Secure Attachment
Children who can depend on their caregivers show distress when separated and joy when reunited.
Although the child may be upset, they feel assured that the caregiver will return.
When frightened, securely attached children are comfortable seeking reassurance from caregivers.
This is the most common attachment style.
Research suggests that 81.8% of people have asecure attachmentstyle.
Children adopted after the age of 6 months may have a higher risk of attachment problems.
Attachment Disorders
In some cases, children may also develop attachment disorders.
Those with insecure attachments are more likely to struggle with trust and intimacy.
Such bonds can also have an influence on romantic relationships in adulthood.
Understanding your attachment style may help you look for ways to become more secure in your relationships.
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