Research Paper on "Founders and Important People Who Have Applied"

Research Paper 18 pages (4886 words) Sources: 6

[EXCERPT] . . . .

founders and important people who have applied and developed it. We then present its applications in the modern psychology.

Attachment can be defined as the emotional bond that connects one person with another. This theory was first advanced by psychologist John Bowl by and he described it as a "lasting psychological connectedness between human beings" (Bowlby, 1969). He believed that the initial bond that is formed by children with their parent or caregivers have very important impact upon their entire lives. According to him, the attachment is very fundamental in ensuring that the child's chances of survival are enhanced.

The main theme in the theory of attachment revolves around the notion that mothers who are responsive and available to the needs of their children usually establish some sense of security. The infant are therefore ware of the fact that such a bond with a dependable parent or caregiver is important for their security and safety. This gives them a well secured platform to explore the world at large.

The main characteristics of attachment

Secure base

This is when the caregiver or parent provides a dependable and secure base for the child to explore the world.

Safe haven

This is exhibited when the child feels afraid and threatened. They do therefore turn back to their caregiver to seek comfort

Maintenance of proximity

This is exhibited when the child makes efforts to be as close to the caregiver or parent as much as possible in order to keep themselves safe.

Distress of separation

The Ainsworth's theory of "Strange Situation"

Mary Ainsworth, a psychologist in 1970's carried out research that expounded immensely on the work of Bowlby's. Her famous theory of "Strange Situation" revealed that there is a notable effects of attachment on the human behavior. The study which she conducted entailed an observation of children aged between 12 and 18 months who were being watched as they responded to various situations in which they were left alone for a short period of time. The infants were then reunited with their mothers as pointed out by (Ainsworth, 1978).

On the basis of the observed responses, Ainsworth came up with three main styles of attachment which were:

Secure attachment

Ambivalent-insecure attachment

Avoidant-insecure attachment

However, later on, the work of Main and Solomon (1986) saw the addition of an extra style of attachment referred to as disorganized-insecure attachment. Several other studies have shown that the various attachment styles have a profound influence on the behavior of humans in their later lives.

Detailed characteristics of attachments

Secure attachment

Children who are securely attached do exhibit a lot of distress when they get separated from their caregivers. They do however become happy on the return of their caregiver. It is worth pointing out the fact that these children do feel secure and are able to depend entirely on their parents ar caregivers. Whenever the caregiver or parent leaves, they may feel upset but with the knowledge and hope that their caregiver would soon come back.

In case they get frightened by anything, these securely attached children would seek the comfort and protection of their caregivers. They know their parents and caregivers and their ability to provide them with assurance and comfort.

Ambivalent attachment

The ambivalently attached children normally do become distressed whenever their caregivers leave them. This form of attachment is usually uncommon and is therefore observable in just a small percentage of American children. It has been shown through research that ambivalent children are a product of poor maternal availability. These children however, cannot rely on their parents' availability for their needs to be met.

Avoidant attachment

This form of attachment is characterized with children who try at all costs to avoid their parents or primary caregivers. In case they get offered a chance, they would show no form of preference between their caregivers and new people who are considered total strangers. Research work has indicated that this form of attachment comes about as a result of a neglectful or abusive caregiver. This therefore means that children who get penalized or punished fpor their reliance on their caregivers would soon learn to avoid seeking their help in the future.

The problems with attachment

There are a myriad of problems that affects attachments. The questions that most people may ask are what happens to infant who do not form some form of secure attachment. Extant literature suggests that in case there is a failure to be part of a secure attachment during infancy, then there is bound to be negative impact on the behavior of the affected individual. This is notable in the early childhood as well as during adulthood.

The children who are diagnosed with oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or conduct disorder (CD) usually show signs of attachment related problems. This is possibly as a result of:

1. Early abuse

2. Neglect and

3. Trauma.

It has been suggested by clinicians that early attachments do have very serious effects on the future relationships .For example, people who are securely attached during their childhood do tend to have positive qualities such as:

Good self-esteem

Strong romantic relationships

Ability to disclose oneself to other people.

It has been suggested by several theorists that the attachment theory is a special kind of psychological theory that gives a description as well as explanation to be used as a theoretical framework necessary for discussing the various types of affectionate relationships that do exist between individuals.

This theory which got its origin from John Bowlby in 1969 has continued to be influential as a logical framework to be utilized in the explanation of interpersonal relationships as pointed out by (Hazan, & Shaver, 1987).

Bowlby's theory was heavily influenced by the work of Harry Harlow. Harlow is the one who made a discovery that infant monkeys that got separated from their caregivers (mothers) ended up clinging to objects that were as fluffy as their mothers as opposed to the wire-coated food dispensers. This was a strong indication that the infants had a strong need to be nurtured as pointed out by Harlow & Suomi (1970).It was the belief of Bowlby that the attachment style of an individual is developed in their childhood and gets heavy influence by the infant's relationship with the primary caregiver. His other belief was that an individual' style of attachment is durable and has a strong influence on the way the person would relate to others through our their life time (Bowlby, 1969).There are however some theorist who challenge this notion.

Secure attachment style

This is the very first attachment style. Individuals who are securely attached have very low self-esteem coupled with low avoidance. They however have positive attitudes towards themselves and towards the rest of the people. In order to promote secure attachment in children, it is important for the primary caregivers to be dependable, supportive and provide a safe haven as pointed out by Bartholomew & Horowitz (1991).

Ainsworth's strange situation study revealed that securely attached children are characterized by several behaviors such as protestation of their caregiver's departure while having the ability to begin being in happy mood only to welcome the departed caregiver and be reassured once again of their comfort as outlined by Tracy & Ainsworth (1981).

There are other benefits that come with being securely attached. These include the ability to form very close and intimate relationships with very little ease while being comfortable with the autonomy. Secure adults usually feel like they are worthless and have expectations that other persons will be accepting while being responsive at the same time as outlined by (Hazan & Shaver, 1987).

The diminishing attachment style

This form of attachment is characterized by individuals who have low anxiety coupled with a rather high avoidance. Therefore, they do have a positive attitude towards their existence. They however do have a high avoidance of others. This form of attachment is observable in children and is formed whenever an infant's bid to gain comfort are rejected and their primary care givers are hesitant and generally reluctant to allow body contact between them. This makes them to pick up their young ones in very abrupt manner. There is also an element of controlling behavior with very limited emotional response as indicated by (Hazan & Shaver, 1987).

An observation by Ainsworth shown that children who are dismissing had a characteristic of not being distressed by the departure of their caregivers and they were also not too much bothered by their return. This observation was reported by (Tracy & Ainsworth, 1981).

In adults

It is also a general fact that adults who belong to the category of the dismissing individuals do feel a certain sense of worthiness. They however possess a very negative disposition towards other individuals. They do have a self-protection mechanism that involves the avoidance of very close relationships and the maintenance of a general sense of independence coupled with invulnerability.

The preoccupied (Fearful avoidant attachment styles)

This third attachment style is referred to as the… READ MORE

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