John Bowlby Attachment Theory

Attachment is a general term used between children and mothers/caregivers in the human development process. Attachment is a psychological phenomenon that deals with emotional relationships.  John Bowlby attachment theory provided the clear-cut boundary between attachment and non-attachment.

All over the world, the human child is the weakest human being during the birth time because a newborn child does not survive without parents/caregivers. So attachment plays an important role in development. And, attachment leads to more care and provided protection.

In 1969, John Bowlby proposed the attachment theory. According to Bowlby, the attachment of an infant to its parents is a reciprocal relationship. The mother is feeding the infant it is not attachment. Because attachment is not determined by the biological process (breastfeeding). And, attachment leads to psychological phenomena.

Attachment is presented with the help of a positive response rather than a negative response.

Bowlby explained that attachment is an evolutionary process.

Phases of Attachment

According to attachment theory, four phases of attachment. They are:-

• Preattachment phase    This phase occurs between birth to 6 weeks. In this phase, the infant recognizes the mother’s voice, smile, face, and gesture. But infant does not attach to the mother. So, this phase is called preattachment phase.

   

• Attachment in the making   This phase occurs between 6 weeks to 6-8 months. And, infants show attachment to their mother/ caregiver. The baby begins to develop trust in the caregiver/ mother. In the attachment process, trust plays an important role related to positive attachment.
• Clear cut attachment phase   This phase occurs between 6-8 months to 18 months. In this phase, the infant shows reparation anxiety from the mother/ caregiver. Now infants are more familiar with mother/ caregiver than in previous phases.
• Formation of reciprocal relationship   This stage occurs between 10 months to 2 years. And, children start a conversation with their mother and explain self-feeling with the help of stable gestures and conversation.

Conclusion

A baby is born with few instincts. They are necessary to live. But attachment doesn’t happen with birth. And, it is not necessary that the attachment should be with the mother only.  If the caregiver spends more time with the baby. Then the attachment of the child is done with the caregiver. Because the baby understands the feeling.

Children have individual differences. So, in some kids attachment comes first and some later. Developmental psychologist measures the individual differences of the child. And only then can attachment be understood. Because attachment is not a mysterious phenomenon.

Attachment follows a systemic approach. And attachment can also be deeply understood. But before understanding the attachment, the theory of Bowlby has to be understood.

 

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