Exploring John Bowlby's Attachment Theory and Mary Ainsworth's Collaborative Contributions
- benjthompson1
- Dec 7, 2024
- 3 min read
A Review of John Bowlby's Work on Attachment Theory and Collaboration with Mary Ainsworth
John Bowlby's attachment theory has been a cornerstone in understanding child development and the importance of early relationships. Bowlby, a British psychoanalyst, proposed that children are biologically pre-programmed to form attachments with caregivers as a means of survival. His theory emphasizes the critical role of a primary caregiver in providing a secure base from which a child can explore the world and develop emotionally.
One of Bowlby's key contributions is the concept of the **internal working model**, which suggests that early attachment experiences shape an individual's expectations and interactions in future relationships. This model posits that children who experience secure attachments develop a sense of security and self-worth, while those with insecure attachments may struggle with trust and self-esteem.
Bowlby's collaboration with Mary Ainsworth, an American-Canadian developmental psychologist, further advanced the field of attachment theory. Ainsworth's Strange Situation experiment, conducted in the 1960s, provided empirical evidence for Bowlby's ideas. In this study, Ainsworth observed children's reactions to being separated and reunited with their caregivers, identifying different attachment styles: secure, avoidant, and ambivalent.
Ainsworth's work demonstrated that secure attachments are characterized by a child's confidence in the caregiver's availability and responsiveness, while insecure attachments result from inconsistent or unresponsive caregiving. This research highlighted the importance of sensitive and responsive caregiving in fostering secure attachments and healthy emotional development.
Together, Bowlby and Ainsworth's contributions have had a profound impact on child psychology, influencing practices in childcare, education, and therapy. Their work underscores the significance of early relationships in shaping an individual's emotional and social well-being, providing a foundation for understanding and addressing attachment-related issues.
John Bowlby's attachment theory, enriched by Mary Ainsworth's empirical research, has revolutionized our understanding of child development and the critical role of early attachments in shaping future relationships and emotional health.
The Strange Situation Experiment
Mary Ainsworth developed the Strange Situation procedure in the 1970s to observe attachment security in children aged 9 to 18 months. The experiment involves a series of eight episodes, each lasting about three minutes, designed to assess the child's behaviour in response to the caregiver's presence and absence.
Procedure:
1. The caregiver and infant enter an unfamiliar room with toys.
2. The caregiver and infant are left alone, and the caregiver sits quietly while the infant explores.
3. A stranger enters, talks to the caregiver, and then approaches the infant.
4. The caregiver leaves the infant alone with the stranger.
5. The caregiver returns and greets the infant, and the stranger leaves.
6. The caregiver leaves the infant alone in the room.
7. The stranger returns and interacts with the infant.
8. The caregiver returns and greets the infant, and the stranger leaves.
Behavioural Categories:
Ainsworth observed and recorded the infant's behaviour in relation to several key categories:
Proximity and Contact-Seeking Behaviour: Reaching for or moving toward the caregiver.
Contact-Maintaining Behaviour: Holding and clinging to the caregiver.
Proximity and Contact-Avoiding Behaviour: Avoiding or ignoring the caregiver.
Contact and Interaction-Resisting Behaviour: Wriggling to be put down or rejecting attempts of play or comfort.
Searching Behaviours: Following the caregiver, keeping focus on the door the caregiver left through, trying to open the door.
Attachment Styles Identified:
Based on the behaviours observed, Ainsworth identified three main attachment styles:
1. Secure Attachment (Type B): Infants show proximity-seeking and secure-base behaviour toward their caregiver. They exhibit moderate separation and stranger anxiety but show joy and comfort upon reunion.
2. Insecure-Avoidant Attachment (Type A): Infants show little or no separation anxiety and minimal response to the caregiver leaving. They avoid or ignore the caregiver upon reunion and are comfortable interacting with a stranger.
3. Insecure-Resistant Attachment (Type C): Infants show high levels of separation anxiety and intense stranger anxiety. They seek and resist comfort from the caregiver upon reunion, showing ambivalence.
Significance:
The Strange Situation experiment provided empirical evidence for Bowlby's attachment theory, demonstrating how early interactions with caregivers shape children's emotional responses and future relationships. It highlighted the importance of sensitive and responsive caregiving in fostering secure attachments and healthy emotional development.
Bowlby - A Secure Base. Clinical Applications of Attachment Theory. By John Bowlby. Routledge Classics. 2005. ISBN: 9780415355278. Made in Great Britain.
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