Attachment Theory Basics

Attachment is a deep emotional bond between an infant and their primary caregiver, often the mother.
John Bowlby is considered the father of attachment theory. He proposed that attachment is an innate survival mechanism, with infants biologically programmed to seek proximity to a caregiver for safety.
Infants develop different attachment styles based on the behaviour of their primary caregiver. These attachment styles can have long-term impacts on the child’s social and emotional development.
The primary attachment figure serves as a secure base from which the child can explore the world, and a safe haven to return to in times of need.

Types of Attachment

According to the Strange Situation experiment conducted by Mary Ainsworth, there are three primary types of attachment: secure, insecure-avoidant, and insecure-ambivalent/resistant.
Securely attached infants use their caregiver as a secure base for exploration and display distress when separated, but quickly recover when reunited.
Insecure-avoidant infants show little distress when separated, avoiding or ignoring the caregiver upon return.
Insecure-ambivalent/resistant infants show intense distress upon separation and are not easily comforted upon reunion, displaying both seeking and resisting behaviours.
Later research added a fourth type named disorganised attachment, identified in children who display an array of confused and contradictory behaviours.

Early attachment experiences form an internal working model, which is a cognitive representation of the self and others. It acts as a blueprint for future relationships.
Children with secure attachments generally have more positive outcomes, such as better social skills, more stable relationships, and better emotional regulation.
In contrast, insecure attachments can lead to difficulties, including behaviour problems, difficulties with emotional regulation, and problems forming stable relationships.

Sensitivity and responsiveness to the infant’s needs play a significant role in forming secure attachment. Caregivers who respond quickly and appropriately to their infant’s signals often develop secure attachments.
Temperament of the child also plays a role in attachment. Some infants may be easier to soothe or more socially engaging, leading to more positive caregiver responses.
Environmental factors such as stress, poverty, caregiver mental health can also impact attachment.

Cultural practises and values influence caregiver responses and attachment styles. For example, cultures that promote closeness and physical contact may foster secure attachment more readily.
Cross-cultural research has found that secure attachment is most common across cultures, suggesting the fundamental nature of attachment. However, the distribution of insecure types varies.

Deprivation or disruption of an early attachment relationship can have serious consequences, which Bowlby referred to as Deprivation Hypothesis.
Severely disrupted attachments can lead to Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), a condition marked by difficulty forming emotional attachments, severe mood swings, and a failure to seek comfort from caregivers.
Intervention programmes and adequate caregiving can improve attachment security, underscoring the plasticity of attachment and the influence of the environment.