Attachment Theory Lecture Notes
Key Concepts
- Attachment Theory: Proposes that a strong emotional and physical bond with a primary caregiver in early childhood is crucial for development.
- Secure Attachment: Results from a strong bond, leading to feelings of safety and the ability to explore the world.
- Insecure Attachment: Results from a weak bond, leading to fear of exploration and insecurity.
Types of Attachment
- Secure Attachment: Leads to greater trust, better connection with others, and greater success in life.
- Insecure Attachments:
- Anxious Ambivalent: Displays anxiety and unpredictability in relationships; self-image may suffer.
- Anxious Avoidant: Avoids showing emotions, struggles with forming relationships; negative self-image.
- Anxious Disorganized: Experiences conflict between seeking security and fear; very negative self-image.
Case Study: The Smith Family
- Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Smith exemplify loving caregivers until Mr. Smith's death.
- Luca (6 years old): Securely attached, trusting, positive self-image.
- Anne (3 years old): Anxious ambivalent, reacts to unpredictability by becoming clingy.
- Joe (2 years old): Anxious avoidant, avoids emotions due to strict caregiving.
- Amy (1 year old): Anxious disorganized, experiences fear without resolution.
Biological and Psychological Effects
- Stress Response: In times of anxiety, stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are released, raising heart rate and blood pressure.
- Toxic Stress: Frequent stress can impair brain development and weaken the immune system. It can even alter gene expression.
Assessment of Attachment
- Strange Situation Experiment: Observes a child's reaction to their mother's return after being left alone.
- Securely attached children calm down after reunion.
- Insecurely attached children may continue to cry or refuse to play.
Long-Term Effects
- Attachment style can predict life outcomes:
- Early attachment correlated with academic success.
- Relationship with parents linked to later health outcomes (e.g., coronary disease, hypertension).
Importance of Early Years
- Early experiences set the foundation for future behaviors and worldviews.
- Secure attachment leads to successful social and professional relationships.
Reflections by John Bowlby
- Emphasizes the difficulty insecurely attached individuals may face in understanding themselves and their emotions.
Key Quote: "What cannot be communicated to the mother cannot be communicated to the self." - John Bowlby