Attachment Theory - John Bowlby

Summary

This presentation by Rory Le Oaks explores John Bowlby's Attachment Theory, focusing on the emotional bond between caregivers and children. It covers Bowlby’s influences, the evolutionary basis of attachment, and the four key types of attachment: secure, ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized. The video delves into how early childhood relationships shape behavior in adulthood, with specific examples of caregiver behaviors that lead to each attachment type. It also critiques Bowlby’s ideas, particularly from a feminist perspective, and offers resources for further study on the topic.

Takeaways

• 😊 John Bowlby, born in 1907 and passed away in 1990, was a British psychiatrist influenced by Freud, Klein, and Lorenz.
• 🔗 Bowlby is recognized as the father of Attachment Theory, which focuses on the emotional bond between a child and their caregiver.
• 📚 Bowlby believed attachment was biologically built into human nature, based on evolutionary principles.
• 🏠 The four key characteristics of attachment are proximity maintenance, safe haven, secure base, and separation distress.
• 👶 Bowlby categorized attachment into four types: secure, ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized attachment.
• 💖 Secure attachment leads to trusting relationships in adulthood, with caregivers responding consistently to a child's needs.
• 😟 Ambivalent attachment may cause difficulty in forming close relationships, stemming from inconsistent caregiver behavior.
• 🙅 Avoidant attachment can lead to emotional distance in adult relationships, often linked to caregivers who provide neglectful or inconsistent care.
• 😔 Disorganized attachment, often a result of abuse or trauma, can cause confusion and erratic behaviors in both childhood and adulthood.
• ⚖ A critique of Bowlby’s theory is that it idealizes motherhood, and was historically used to justify pushing women out of the workforce after World War II.

Q & A

Who is John Bowlby and what is his primary contribution to psychology?

John Bowlby was a British psychiatrist born on February 26, 1907, in London, and he passed away on September 2, 1990, in Scotland. He is best known for coining the term 'attachment' and is widely regarded as the father of attachment theory.

What does attachment mean in the context of Bowlby's theory?

Attachment, according to Bowlby, refers to a unique emotional bond between a carer and a child that involves an exchange of comfort, care, and pleasure. It is a lasting psychological connectedness between human beings.

What are the four major characteristics of attachment as described by Bowlby?

The four major characteristics of attachment are proximity maintenance, safe haven, secure base, and separation distress.

Can you explain the concept of 'proximity maintenance' in attachment theory?

Proximity maintenance is the desire to be near the people one is attached to. It is observed in children who tend to want to return to their caregiver if they stray too far away.

What is meant by 'safe haven' in the context of attachment theory?

A 'safe haven' refers to the role of the attachment figure as a source of comfort and safety when a child faces fear or threat. Children are likely to run to their caregiver or parent for protection in such situations.

How is the term 'secure base' defined in attachment theory?

A 'secure base' is the role of the attachment figure as a stable foundation from which a child can confidently explore their environment. The child can return to this secure base after exploration.

What is 'separation distress' and how does it manifest?

Separation distress is the anxiety that occurs when a child is separated from their attachment figure. It can manifest as distress or anxiety when a child realizes their caregiver or parent is absent.

What are the different types of attachments that Bowlby identified?

Bowlby identified four types of attachments: secure attachment, ambivalent attachment, avoidant attachment, and disorganized attachment.

How does a caregiver promote a secure attachment according to Bowlby?

A caregiver can promote a secure attachment by responding appropriately, promptly, and consistently to the child's needs, effectively forming a secure parental attachment bond.

What caregiver behaviors might lead to ambivalent attachment in a child?

Ambivalent attachment can result from caregiver behaviors that involve little or no response to a distressed child, discouraging crying, and encouraging independence.

How does avoidant attachment manifest in children and what caregiver behaviors might cause it?

Avoidant attachment in children may manifest as avoiding parents and having problems with intimacy as adults. Caregiver behaviors that can cause this include inconsistent responses and generally only responding after increased attachment behavior from the child.

What is disorganized attachment and what caregiver behaviors might lead to it?

Disorganized attachment usually results from very difficult or broken caregiving styles. It can manifest as a mixture of avoidant and resistant behaviors. Caregiver behaviors that might lead to this include being frightening themselves, being intrusive, withdrawn, and causing role confusion.

What are the criticisms of Bowlby's attachment theory?

One criticism of Bowlby's theory is that it idolizes motherhood and traditional family life. Some argue that his ideas were used by governments to justify policies that forced women back into traditional roles after World War II.

How have other psychologists expanded on Bowlby's attachment theory?

Psychologists like Mary Ainsworth, who developed the Strange Situation to measure attachment, and later researchers like Mary Main and Erik Hesse, who introduced the concept of disorganized attachment, have expanded on Bowlby's work. They have provided further insights into the different patterns of attachment and their implications.