Attachment Theory

Mahnoor Qayyum
Roll num 1258-MSCP-14
 What is Attachment?

A strong emotional and social bond of trust between

child and caregiver.

An enduring emotional tie to a special person,

characterized by a tendency to seek and maintain
closeness, especially during times of stress.

Attachment style affects relationships throughout life

Focused on the relationships and bonds between

people, particularly long-term relationships including
those between a parent and child and between
romantic partners.
 When does attachment form?

Infants need a “secure base” (i.e. are able to trust) their primary caregiver
A Secure Attachment leads to subsequent healthy development. It show up as Trust

An Insecure Attachment leads to unhealthy development. Shows as Mistrust ,i.e

wariness of strangers and strong fear of separation from caregiver.
 Roots of Attachment Theory

• John Bowlby observed orphaned infants after World War II (1940s)

– Concluded that early social attachment between an infant and a

caretaker is essential for normal social development. He believed that
babies are born with social releaser behavior like crying, smiling etc
that stimulate caregivers to respond infant’s signals.

– Determined that babies and mothers have an innate tendency to form

an attachment
 Factors which Affect Attachment
Opportunity for attachment
Children that do not have a primary care figure, such as those raised in orphanages,
may fail to develop the sense of trust needed to form an attachment.

Quality of care giving

respond promptly and consistently

Infant characteristics
infant's temperament, special needs, prematurity, or illnesses

Family circumstances
Stress can undermine attachment

Parents’ internal working models

Parents’ own attachment experiences
Parents’ ability to accept their past
Four Stages of Attachment

1.Preattachment phase
• Birth - 6 weeks
• Baby’s innate signals attract
caregiver
• Caregivers remain close by when
the baby responds positively .
• Infants do not discriminate one
person from another, no fear of
stranger.
 2. Indiscriminate Attachment

• 6 wks to 6-8 months

• Infants begin to show preferences for primary and secondary

caregivers.

• Develops a sense of trust that caregiver will respond when

signaled

• Infants respond more positively to familiar caregiver

 3. Discriminate Attachment

• 6-8 months to 3 years

• Infants show a strong attachment and

preference for one specific individual.

• Protest when separated from the primary

attachment figure

• Babies display separation anxiety and begin

to display anxiety around strangers (stranger
anxiety).
 4. Goal –Corrected Partnership

• 4 years onwards.

• Toddlers increase their understanding of symbols and

language improves.

• Toddlers understand that parents will return.