Foundations of Attachment Theory

The psychological theory of attachment refers to the emotional bonds which form between infant and caregiver during the first few years of life. The theory explains how and why newborns are so emotionally dependent on their caregivers, and what it means when those fundamental needs are not met.

The theory of attachment was developed by the British psychologist John Bowlby, who in 1951 was studying the immediate connection and biological imprinting that occurs between a mother duck and her chicks: 

“The way in which attachment behaviour develops in the human infant and becomes focused on a discriminated figure is sufficiently like the way in which it develops in other mammals, and in birds, for it to be included, legitimately, under the heading of imprinting.” (Brown & Elliot, p. 37).

He coined the term “attachment behaviour” to refer to the innate set of behavioural patterns that infants use to stay connected to their caregivers. Thus, Bowlby saw attachment as an evolutionarily adaptive set of behaviours designed to keep infants safe. Essentially, the process of attachment creates a sense of biological security in the infant by down-regulating fear responses when in close proximity to a “secure base”. Mary Ainsworth coined the term “secure base” to describe a process through which, by being loved, the child “has left the prison cell of aloneness and isolation” (Fromm, 1995, p. 32). Thus secure attachment, a state of stability and trust in human relationships, requires an appropriate felt experience of love.

The maternal qualities necessary for developing secure attachment are loving qualities. A loving caregiver is "affectionate during physical contact, tender when holding their babies, more and more quickly responding to their babies crying; and more sensitive, accepting, cooperative, and accessible to their babies"

Through studying traumatised post-war children, who were often separated from their parents for long periods of time, Bowlnby found that the lack of a “secure base” and maternal deprivation meant these children grew up with a range of psychological and emotional issues including “bitterness and mistrust”, “shutting down in the child of their natural tendency to reach out for love and connection” and “failing to make meaningful friendships” (Brown & Elliot, p. 35). These children were shifted around many times, and often adopted out when parents did not return home. Bowlby soon proclaimed that early attachment experiences have “grave and far reaching effects on character”.

The work of John Bowlby and his student Mary Ainsworth laid the foundation for what would become one of the most important concepts and theories in psychological and therapeutic research and practice to this day. The theory has proliferated since their discoveries, and the insights gained are some of the most important for us all to understand about ourselves, how we relate to others, how we treat children and what it means to parent well.

Sources

Brown, D. P., & Elliott, D. S. (2016). Attachment disturbances in adults: Treatment for comprehensive repair. WW Norton & Co. USA.           

Fromm, E. (1995). The Art of Loving. Thorsons. UK.