How Attachment Theory Works
In this article, we will look at the basic principles of how attachment theory works, including its evolutionary basis, learning/behaviorist basis, and social defense theory. These three theories are based on various research studies that point to the same end–the development of a secure attachment between a child and a caregiver. You’ll also learn about the theories that support or contradict each one, and how to evaluate their claims.
Relationships between child and caregiver
The concept of attachment theory was developed by British psychoanalyst John Bowlby, who studied the relationship between child and caregiver in infants. Bowlby emphasized that attachment was a natural process and that infants were born with a genetic disposition toward attachment. Bowlby identified four distinct styles of attachment and suggested that each type developed throughout the child’s development. One of the most common styles is “secure attachment,” in which the child clings tightly to one caregiver.
Throughout the first year, an infant’s primary caregiver forms multiple attachments and builds a sense of self-worth and security. He or she will cling to the caregiver and actively seek out the caregiver during moments of stress or distress. The child will be able to identify different emotions and experiences in their primary caregiver, and will be able to communicate them openly. If this relationship is not nourished, a child may experience irreversible developmental consequences.
The avoidant attachment style is the opposite of the secure attachment style. The child with this type of attachment is emotionally reliant but is unable to express their needs. A child with this style is often emotionally dependent throughout their life, and they may be unable to establish intimate relationships. Disorganized attachment, on the other hand, is a combination of the two styles. Disorganized children often exhibit anger or destructive behaviour, exhibiting extreme emotional reactions that make it difficult for the caregiver to relate with the child.
Children with a secure attachment style feel confident and trust their caregiver and do not react emotionally to unfamiliar situations or people. Often, these children will have trouble leaving the caregiver alone, but once their primary caregiver returns, they will feel calm and safe. Secure attachment style is the most common form, making it the most desirable form of attachment. Insecure attachment style children do not develop this type of emotional bond with their primary caregiver and are more likely to experience anxiety.
Bowlby’s work with children also extends to religion. His major criteria for attachment apply to religion, and he identified the role of God in the lives of believers. Bowlby’s ideas are applicable in religion as well, as God’s proximity and security are essential for religious attachment. Interestingly, the idea of religion as a source of comfort and security seems to have some resonance among believers.
Evolutionary theory of attachment
An evolutionary theory of attachment has many strengths, but many weaknesses as well. Bowlby argued that infants cannot form attachments after 2.5 years of age, which is not supported by research. Research from the UK and US has shown that older infants do not develop attachments as well as younger ones. Bowlby’s theory is not without criticism, though, as the research on Genie’s case suggests that attachment problems led to poor social development.
Bowlby’s theory is based on the premise that infants form an attachment to a primary care giver that guides their behaviour in relationships throughout life. This principle was later reinforced by studies demonstrating that infants developed attachments to a specific caregiver based on the quality of the care they received from that caregiver. The theory also holds that monotropy, or the lack of it, supports the hierarchy of secondary attachments.
Bowlby’s theory also suggests that babies’ innate need to be attached to a single attachment figure helps protect them from danger. He argues that infants have a biological need for closeness, and attachment to a single parent increases their chances of survival. The bond between a child and mother is more important than food or nutrition. In the meantime, the bond between a mother and child is a protective mechanism for both parties.
A key component of this theory is the continuity hypothesis. This hypothesis proposes that infants develop an internal working model of attachments, which determines how future attachments will develop. Evidence to support this idea includes research that found that infants with secure attachments were more popular and showed more initiative. In addition to these studies, McCarthy’s findings in 1999 also showed a link between secure attachment and later attachments. In short, the evolution of attachment has shaped human behaviour.
One of the major challenges with animal studies is extrapolating findings to humans. Furthermore, animal experiments are not always ethical, so this theory has serious limitations. However, in some cases, attachments are formed based on other factors, including the quality of the caregiver’s physical and mental state. It is possible that the biological factors that underlie the bond between mother and child are the same. The same can be said of the attachments made between adults and children.
Learning/behaviorist theory of attachment
The learning/behaviorist theory of attachment argues that the development of attachment is a learned set of behaviors. For instance, when an infant seeks food, it associates this object with comfort and will repeat the behavior again to obtain the reward. Similarly, the evolutionary theory of attachment suggests that children are biologically pre-programmed to form attachments. So, it’s only natural that they form attachments with the people they feel the most secure with.
In the case of Stacey, we see the importance of the secure base of attachment. The Learning/Behaviorist Theory of Attachment says that the child will develop attachment through repeated reactions to an adult. When the baby cries for food, its first instinct is to feed the adult. The parent’s action of putting the child back into the womb will attach the child to an adult who will feed him or her. The child’s dependence on a parent is also the first step in attachment development.
A third way of looking at the development of attachment is through the lens of operant conditioning. In this theory, the mother is a learned stimulus that produces a conditioned response in the infant. By doing this, the mother gives the infant a sense of pleasure by feeding them. Initially, Skinner studied this idea and later explored it further with the aid of Dollard and Miller. This theory supports the theory of drive reduction, which explains why infants associate the act of feeding with pleasure.
While attachment is an important aspect of parenting, research suggests that it can be influenced by several different factors. One of these factors is the timeframe in which attachment occurs. A baby may be attached to their parents at an early age, but later on it may not be as secure as they might be with a parent who is unable to provide for their basic needs. As such, it’s important to identify the timeframe during which attachment is strongest and can be maintained.
Social defense theory of attachment
The Social Defense Theory of Attachment proposes that individuals with different attachment styles benefit from each other’s different abilities and contribute to group survival. This theory may have implications for human defense behavior, group dynamics, threat detection, and the adaptive benefits of personality diversity. This theory is based on the research of psychologists Ein-Dor and Shaver. It also has a few key weaknesses. However, it remains a popular way to explain the evolution of attachment styles.
The Social Defense Theory (SDT) proposes that each major attachment disposition confers specific adaptive benefits. Each attachment style increases the likelihood of survival. Those who exhibit attachment avoidance may be more likely to be attacked by predators or suffer from an eating disorder. This theory is consistent with the findings of the attachment research. While a number of studies have failed to establish direct empirical support for the theory, the findings suggest that people who exhibit attachment avoidance tend to be more vulnerable than others.
The Social Defense Theory suggests that the development of attachment systems largely depends on the ability to cope with threats. In addition to threats, children develop social defense systems when they experience a threat. These systems can be adaptive in maintaining security, but persistent concerns about safety may prevent them from developing other systems necessary for healthy development. However, prolonged insecurity can lead to negative outcomes. If the social defense system is not functioning properly, children may be at greater risk of developing attachment problems.
The Social Defense Theory of Attachment claims that humans have a unique biological system for forming attachments. When individuals encounter difficulties and threats, this system activates and drives individuals to seek closeness with their attachment figures. Once they achieve this attachment security, they stop activating their proximity bids and other attachment activities. This mechanism is thought to be necessary for survival in a variety of situations. It is a theory based on the research on attachment and other behavioral processes.
Earlier research by Harry Harlow demonstrated that primate attachments can be conditioned through soft fur. Psychologists have translated this insight into human attachments. It has been found that the point of attachment is not to secure food, but rather to seek comfort and protection. Therefore, researchers have concluded that it is not possible for humans to develop secure relationships without a strong sense of attachment. So, how does attachment affect attachments? What is the role of emotional attachments?
