Attachment Theory, Research Paper Example

Introduction                                                                                                                                                             

Behavioral scientists have always attempted to explain abnormal human behavior. Different studies tend justify why people of different environments portray certain behavior that is unique to the majority of a certain group. Like all other theories, there is nothing that is definite, grey areas exist that leave room for doubt. Philosophers say that the same water that softens the carrot hardens the egg. Despite this, it is the composition and different nature of the egg and the carrot that makes the whole difference. It is therefore imperative to assume that the factors that might affect one individual’s development are very different and may not necessarily affect everyone. A Childs environment, culture, genetics, and inner strength influence largely that person’s future behavior. The attachment theory is one such theory that aims to establish the link in behavior of a child to its caregiver’s presence or absence.

The attachment theory is a broad encompassing phenomenon in the psychological field. With all other influencing factors kept constant, it is possible to draw conclusions by taking one component of the theory and apply it to a singular situation for informative results.

Attachment Theory

Attachment theory is a term used to describe an emotional bond to another person. It is an interdisciplinary theory encompassing other fields such as psychology, anthropology, and ethologic. It is the anticipated dynamics of long-term relationships. It argues that long-term relationships result in a lasting psychological connectedness between humans. There are four major styles of attachment: Secure attachment, avoidant insecure attachment, ambivalent insecure attachment, and disorganized insecure attachment. These attachments have an impact on a Childs life.

Attachment theory is instigation by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. They formulated the basic tenets of the theory. They changed the thinking about a Childs bond to a caregiver and the disruption brought through separation, bereavement, and deprivation. Freud and other psychologists influenced Ainsworth’s constructs. Attachment behavior molded in a Childs early life will shape how one relates as an adult. However, some psychologists believe that too much emphasis on a Childs present and future behavior should not be placed with the parents. Others argue that a person’s behavior is not directly proportional to its attachment experiences and that genetic factor, peer influence and the environment play a great role.

After World War II, orphaned and homeless children had many difficulties. Psychiatrists investigated the cause of these problems and came up with the attachment theory. It was realized that young children became attached to adults who were more sensitive and responsive in the social interactions. The caregivers who remained consistent in the lives of children for a considerable period realized positive response. Infants feel a sense of security when they are near people they are familiar. These parental responses lead to internal working models, which guide an individual’s perceptions, thoughts, emotions, and expectations in later relationships. Nevertheless, separation, bereavement, and anxiety are normal occurrences in life, which are adaptive. These behaviors are evolutionary and increase the probability of a Childs survival.

John Bowlby studied rigorous scientific training on development psychology. He volunteered at a school for mal-adjusted children where he developed deeper interest in the psychological effects of a child in relation to the parental bonds. He worked with two children whereby one teen was isolated, reserved, and not affectionate. He had no stable mother figure and had been expelled from his previous school for theft. The second boy was very anxious, all rounded, and adaptive. Now a child psychiatrist, he decided to study the effects of family on personality development. Bowlbys first empirical study had its background based on the experiences of these two children. At the London child guidance clinic, he realized that many of the children were reserved and prone to stealing. World War II laid a further ground to his career. He headed a department for children and parents. Mary Ainsworth working separately from Bowlby also helped shape the attachment theory. Her career was shaped by her duties as a military officer in the World War II. After the war, she set out to sharpen her clinical skills and personality assessment. In 1948, Ainsworth and Bowlby joined hands to observe the behavior of hospitalized and institutionalized children separated from their mothers.

Applications

The attachment theory is applicable in psychiatric institutions to help control and monitor behavior by introducing positive enhancement. Lasting psychological connectedness between humans has a tremendous impact that continues throughout an individual’s life. Securely attached children reveal distress when separated. Failure to give secure attachments in the early life of a child has a negative impact on its behavior as an adult. They may possess oppositional defiant disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, and frequently display attachment problems.

The theory is used to educate young mothers who may have difficulties in disciplining their children. Attached children are friendlier and will communicate more. It can apply to early childhood teachers and nannies to help correct negative behavior from children.

The reactive attachment disorder is a severe disorder among children characterized by disturbed ways of relating socially. A child portraying this disorder may display persistent failure to respond to the most critical and important social interactions in an appropriate way. RAD occurs from failure to form normal parental attachments in early childhood. Such failure leads to early experiences of neglect, abuse, and deviant behavior. Genetics and mental problems have been associated with the disorder. By applying the attachment, theory children are seen to relate well with the dependable people in their lives. Their behaviors improve tremendously when they are shown love and can trust an adult who they have become familiar to. Treatment for RAD concentrates on increasing a patient’s responsiveness and sensitivity to a caregiver or placing a child with a different caregiver for a certain period.

In conclusion, the attachment theory is very essential and has positive benefits to children and adults alike. It can be used to correct Reactive attachment disorder and has tremendous benefits if incorporated with other forms of treatment. Because of the many influencing factors, it is not possible to achieve remarkable results with only one facet of the whole problem.