John Bowlby Attachment Theory http://shvedovskaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/bowlby-john.jpg

“If a community values its children It must cherish their parents.” John Bowlby

Edward John Mostyn Bowlby February 26, 1907 - September 2, 1990 British psychologist and psychoanalyst Influenced by Sigmund Freud One of the pioneers of child development Developer of Attachment theory In the 20th century Bowlby was rated the top psychologist “The infant and young child should experience a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with his mother (or permanent mother substitute) in which both find satisfaction and enjoyment.” (Milite, 2001)

Attachment Theory Children are born instinctively to attach to others Attachment relationships act as a prototype for future relationships Disruptions can have severe consequences 0-5 years old is important to have an attachment to a caregiver or can cause irreversible developmental consequences Reduced intelligence and increased aggression with avoidant type of attachment (McLeod, 2009)

Attachment Styles Secure attachment Avoidant attachment Resistant attachment Disorganized/ disoriented attachment (Balan, 2013) https://babydustdiaries.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/picture25.png

Four Stages of Secure Attachment Pre-attachment phase(birth - 6 weeks) Attachment in the making (6 weeks - 8 months) Clear cut attachment phase(8 months - 2 years) Formation of reciprocal relationship(2 years - and on) (Health & Medicine, Technology, 2013) http://www.staticwhich.co.uk/media/images/in-content/mother-and-child-352411.jpg

Strengths Weaknesses Difficult to prove Mainly focuses on the mother’s impact Focuses only on one primary caregiver instead of multiple care providersers Significance of a solid relationship with parent/guardian Main explanation of attachment Easy to understand Explains why some children have mental health disorders

Connection to Adolescence Parents continue to be a significant part of adolescent years Healthy relationships with parents helps adolescents develop social and coping skills. Less risk of behavioural problems, mental disorders Healthy development (Paediatric Child Health. 2004) http://www.cdc.gov/features/parentengagement/

Harlow's Monkey Experiment Orphan monkeys always chose “tactile comfort” over necessities such as food Baby monkeys showed anxiety when separated from cloth Monkeys who grew up without real relationships showed signs later on (McLeod, 2009) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O60TYAIgC4

Theory and Society Peer relationships lack the intensity as early childhood attachment relationships Adolescents rely less on main attachment figures, peers become the base of providing support Secure attachments as adolescents are better prepared to work through challenges Anxious adolescents are prone to risky sexual behaviors and crave closeness Avoidant adolescents may shun or look for casual or exploitative encounters (Allen, & Miga, 2010)

Discussion Questions Which of John Bowlby’s four stages of attachment seems most important? Why? How are Erikson and Bowlby’s theories similar? Which Theory do you prefer, John Bowlby’s or Erik Erikson’s and why?

The Blind Side https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I24d30buecw

Sources Milite, George A.. "Bowlby, John." Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology. 2001. Retrieved November 05, 2015 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2- 3406000097.html McLeod, S. A. (2009). Attachment Theory. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html Balan, P. (2013). Bowlby's theory of attachment. Retrieved November 16, 2015, from http://www.slideshare.net/preethibalan9/bowlbys-theory-of-attachment Allen, J., & Miga, E. (2010). Attachment in adolescence: A move to the level of emotion regulation. Retrieved from Journal of Social and Personal Relationships http://shvedovskaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/bowlby-john.jpg https://babydustdiaries.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/picture25.png http://www.cdc.gov/features/parentengagement/ http://www.staticwhich.co.uk/media/images/in-content/mother-and-child-352411.jpg