Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby and expanded by Mary Ainsworth, explores the emotional bond between a child and their caregiver, shaping future social and romantic relationships. It outlines secure and insecure attachment styles, their consequences, and the influence on social competence and relationship dynamics. The theory also discusses the hereditary nature of attachment patterns and the role of temperament in relationship formation.
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Attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond between a child and their primary caregiver
Formation and Influence
The internal working model, developed by John Bowlby, explains how early attachment experiences shape a child's expectations and beliefs about themselves and others, influencing their future social interactions and relationships
The "Strange Situation" procedure, developed by Mary Ainsworth and Bell, categorizes attachment into secure and insecure styles based on a child's behavior during separation and reunion with their caregiver
Secure attachment is characterized by distress during separation and relief upon reunion, leading to positive social outcomes in later life
Avoidant Attachment
Children with an avoidant attachment style may anticipate dismissiveness from others, mirroring their experiences with caregivers, which can contribute to social withdrawal or exclusion
Anxious/Ambivalent Attachment
Children with an anxious/ambivalent attachment style may exhibit clingy and anxious behavior, leading to challenges in social relationships
Disorganized Attachment
Children with a disorganized attachment style may display inconsistent and unpredictable behavior, making it difficult to form stable relationships
Studies, such as the longitudinal Minnesota study, have shown that securely attached children tend to display higher social competence, experience less loneliness, and are more popular than their insecurely attached counterparts
Attachment styles can be transmitted from one generation to the next, with parents often replicating their own attachment patterns in the relationships with their children
Studies have documented the correspondence between mothers' attachment styles and those of their infants, reflecting the continuity of attachment patterns across generations
Adults with a history of secure attachment are more likely to establish stable, enduring partnerships, while those with insecure attachment histories may encounter difficulties in their romantic lives
Early attachment styles have been correlated with adult relationship dynamics, attitudes, and outcomes, as shown in studies such as the "Love Quiz" by Hazan and Shaver
While influential in understanding social development, attachment theory has been critiqued for potentially oversimplifying the complexities of human relationships and not accounting for other factors such as innate temperament
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The concept of the ______ ______ ______ is key to comprehending how initial attachment experiences shape a child's view of self and others, affecting their later social behavior and connections.
internal working model
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Origin of 'Strange Situation' procedure
Developed by Ainsworth and Bell, 1970.
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Characteristics of secure attachment
Distress during separation, relief at reunion, positive later social outcomes.
