Bowlby's Attachment Theory

Personality development has been a major topic of interest for some of the most prominent thinkers in psychology. These theorists developed theories to describe various steps and stages that occur on the road of personality development. In the 1950s and 1960s, John Bowlby, a British psychoanalyst developed the attachment theory to account for phenomena in personality development and psychopathology that were not well recognized or explained by other psychoanalytic theories. Bowlby ([1969] 1982) and Ainsworth (1978) defined an attachment as an enduring affective bond characterized by a tendency to seek and maintain proximity to a specific figure particularly when under stress. It is a long-lasting relationship, not a transient
They are very independent of the attachment figure both physically and emotionally. They do not seek contact with the attachment figure when distressed. Such children are likely to have a caregiver who is insensitive and rejecting of their needs. The attachment figure may withdraw from helping during difficult tasks and is often unavailable during times of emotional distress. As adults, those with an avoidant attachment tend to have difficulty with intimacy and close relationships. These individuals do not invest much emotion in relationships and experience little distress when a relationship ends. They often avoid intimacy by using excuses, or may fantasize about other people during sex. Other common characteristics may include a failure to support partners during stressful times and an inability to share feelings, thoughts, and emotions with
Children with this attachment style show a lack of clear attachment behavior. Their actions and responses to caregivers are often a mix of behaviors, including avoidance or resistance. These children are described as displaying dazed behavior, sometimes seeming either confused or apprehensive in the presence of a caregiver. As adults, those with the disorganized insecure attachment often would not learn healthy ways to self soothe. They may have trouble socially or struggle in using others to co-regulate their emotions. It may be difficult for them to open up to others or to seek out help. They often have difficulty trusting people, as they were unable to trust those they relied on for safety growing up. They may struggle in their relationships or friendships or when parenting their own children their social lives may further be affected, as people with secure attachments tend to get on better throughout their development. Children with secure attachment are often treated better than peers and even teachers at school. On the other hand those with disorganized attachment, because they struggle with poor social skills, may find it difficult to form and sustain solid relationships. They often have difficulty managing stress and may even demonstrate hostile or aggressive behaviors. Because of their negative early life