Basic Concepts in Attachment Theory Essay

Words: 2821
Pages: 12
Open Document
Basic Concepts in Attachment Theory
Attachment theory is the joint work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth (Ainsworth &
Bowlby, 1991 ). Drawing on concepts from ethology, cybernetics, information processing, developmental psychology, and psychoanalysts, John Bowlby formulated the basic tenets of the theory. He thereby revolutionized our thinking about a child’s tie to the mother and its disruption through separation, deprivation, and bereavement. Mary Ainsworth’s innovative methodology not only made it possible to test some of Bowlby’s ideas empirically hut also helped expand the theory itself and is responsible for some of the new directions it is now taking. Ainsworth contributed the concept of the attachment figure as a secure …show more content…
Another study of children whose parents were in nursing homes found that children's attachment was related to parent mood (Pruchno, Peters, Kleban, and Burant 1994[pic]). Attachments were less intense when parents were depressed and no longer able to provide the emotional support that children expected from the relationship. It may be that attachment dynamics, forged in childhood, continue to influence child–parent relationships later in the life span. But even if attachment patterns in adult children are discontinuous from their earliest manifestation, contemporary attachment patterns may still be relevant to the way in which adult children interact with their parents via children's capacity for self-reflectiveness, empathy, and their own needs for security (Crose 1994[pic]).
Cicirelli 1991[pic] has suggested that adult children provide care to their parents to forestall the dissolution of their attachment relationship. As parents age and weaken, their impermanence becomes more apparent to children. Anxious about the threatened loss of their attachment figure, children may provide support to bolster their parent and preserve the important attachment object. Cicirelli 1993[pic] study of caregiving daughters revealed that attachment had a direct and positive relationship with the care that daughters were providing to their mothers: Stronger attachment bonds were associated with greater amounts of care, independent of mothers' level of functional dependency.
Show More

Related Documents: Basic Concepts in Attachment Theory Essay

Importance Of Developmental And Contextualism

Developmental/Contextualism Bio-Ecological Perspectives What is a Theory – Why Are Theories Important? Life-Span Developmental Theory How to understand the Trajectory of Individual Development Over Time Traditional debate revolves around contributions of nature vs nurture – “essentially meaningless and functionally useless” mutual influence Developmental/contextual Perspective on Life-span Development Bronfenbrenner Lerner Assumptions of D/C Perspective 1. Potential for growth…

Words 2363 - Pages 10

Essay about Basic Emotions

most develop first as emotional development is linked to the brain’s development. There are two different types of emotions that come in different origins. Basic emotions that are present from birth that do not change dramatically through life as these emotions have already been programed into the brain {hardwired} in young infant. Some basic emotions can be changed subject to the environment and can become controlled and do not develop much over a life span. Secondary emotions come from the infants…

Words 1433 - Pages 6

According To Piaget's Theory, What Is A Schema?

following concepts from the textbook (many of which overlap with things discussed in lectures). Any concept from the book that is not on this review sheet will not be on the exam. Once again: all concepts covered in lecture, even if they are not on this list, can be covered on the exam. There will be approximately 25 questions from each of the two chapters. Chapter 5 1. What is maturation? Orderly sequence of biological growth processes, relatively influenced by experience. 2. In Piaget’s theory, what…

Words 2206 - Pages 9

Client Case: Treatment Interventions

family’s treatment. The contents of this paper will describe the theoretical orientation of the models and their application to the Gallagher case. Included in the paper will be the basic concepts of each model and a description of interventions used within the model. The paper will also entail how parent–child attachment is viewed and assessed within the model. Another topic addressed in this paper will describe how culture can influence the therapeutic involvement and engagement of parents in interventions…

Words 1868 - Pages 8

3 Explain How Theories of Development and Frameworks to Essay

3 EXPLAIN HOW THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT AND FRAMEWORKS TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT INFLUENCE CURRENT PRACTICE. Theories of development offer insights into the forces guiding childhood growth and what can affect them. Each offers insight but each has limitations, which is why developmental scientists use more than one theory to guide their thinking about the growth of children. Current practice is based on many years of knowledge and experience. This helps us to understand children learning, development…

Words 3071 - Pages 13

Attachment Theory Paper

Attachment is the sentimental connection that develops between a newborn and its caretaker. It is an important part of an infant's growth and has an immense impact on their overall well-being. The paper explores that attachment patterns are impacted not only primarily by biological factors but also by cultural customs and practices, which leads to variances among cultures. The paper seeks to emphasize the relevance of cultural context for comprehension and application of attachment theory by exploring…

Words 2296 - Pages 10

Developmental Stages Of The Infancy Period Kilee Thomas Essays

Prof. Stacie Flynn PSY/203   Infants are born with many basic reflexes such as the rooting reflex (a touch on the cheek means a turn of the head), the eye-blink reflex (the blink of the eye protecting from bright light), and the Palmer grasp reflex (the curling of fingers when the palm is touched). Most of these reflexes fade within six months after birth. (Nevid, 2012) REFLEX DEVELOPMENT The Palmer’s Grasp Reflex The basic reflexes that carry over into adulthood are;  The blinking reflex…

Words 578 - Pages 3

Essay about Nature V Nurture

Bowlby (1969) suggested that attachment behaviours are displayed because they ensure the survival of the infant. It is also instinctive of the parent to make this attachment. By making attachments infants are set-up for later life increasing their chance of reproduction, therefore extending their genes. Yet a behaviourist would state that rather than nurture, individuals learn to make attachments through classical conditioning. An infant learns that as attachments are made food, play and love is…

Words 2527 - Pages 11

Theories of social development essay

Course Title: Social science and humanities Module Name: Psychology – Development in Childhood and Adolescence Assignment Title: Theories of Social Development Essay Module Leader: Jan Teasdale Student Name: Coleen Marie Roberts (01302371) Submission Date: 05:05:2015 Word Count: 1650 Words Theories of Social Development McLeod (2012) suggests that the practice of developmental psychology only became a discipline after the industrial revolution (18th century). In the need to create…

Words 1952 - Pages 8

Swenson's Functionalist Theory To The Family

the diverse family theoretical frameworks through the lens of functionalism. Neofunctionalism applies functionalist theory to the family. Don Swenson believed in the functionalist concept that families provide functions to address the needs of the social system and the individuals (White & Klein, 2008). He wanted to unite an empirically based family theory, which was attachment to explain the socialization of children to develop their emotional, cognitive and behavioral skills. When Swenson…

Words 1356 - Pages 6