Chapter 11 Attachment to others and development of
the self
The caregiver-child attachment relationship
Harlow: wire mother and cloth mother → monkeys spent more time on cloth mothers.
Attachment theory
= theory based on John Bowlby’s work that posits that children are biologically
predisposed to develop attachments to caregivers as a means of increasing the
chances of their own survival.
An infant uses the caregiver as a secure base → a trusted caregiver giving a sense
of security so the child explores the environment.
Why attachment?
- increase chance of survival (caregiver is source for food and protection).
- give emotional security causing exploration of the world without fear.
- co-regulation: help manage levels of arousal and emotions.
Attachment process is innate, but development and quality are dependent on
experiences with caregivers.
Bowlby and the four phases of development of attachment:
1. Pre-attachment (0-6 weeks): baby communicates with innate behaviors, such
as crying.
2. Attachment-in-the-making (6 weeks - 6/8 months): preference for familiar
people, development of trust, develop expectations of responses.
3. Clear-cut attachment (6/8 months - 1,5 years): actively seeks contact with
regular caregivers, separation anxiety or distress when mother leaves. Mother
= secure base
4. Reciprocal relationships (1,5 - 2 years): understanding of others, regulated
relationship because child takes an active role in developing a relationship
with the parents, separation anxiety decreases.
Internal model of attachment = the child’s mental representation of the self, of
attachment figure(s), and of relationships in general that is constructed as a result of
experiences with caregivers. The working model guides children’s interactions with
caregivers and other people in infancy at older ages.
→ influences the overall adjustment, social behavior, perceptions of others, and
development of their self-esteem and sense of self.
→ guides the individual’s expectations about relationships throughout life.
Measurement of attachment security
the self
The caregiver-child attachment relationship
Harlow: wire mother and cloth mother → monkeys spent more time on cloth mothers.
Attachment theory
= theory based on John Bowlby’s work that posits that children are biologically
predisposed to develop attachments to caregivers as a means of increasing the
chances of their own survival.
An infant uses the caregiver as a secure base → a trusted caregiver giving a sense
of security so the child explores the environment.
Why attachment?
- increase chance of survival (caregiver is source for food and protection).
- give emotional security causing exploration of the world without fear.
- co-regulation: help manage levels of arousal and emotions.
Attachment process is innate, but development and quality are dependent on
experiences with caregivers.
Bowlby and the four phases of development of attachment:
1. Pre-attachment (0-6 weeks): baby communicates with innate behaviors, such
as crying.
2. Attachment-in-the-making (6 weeks - 6/8 months): preference for familiar
people, development of trust, develop expectations of responses.
3. Clear-cut attachment (6/8 months - 1,5 years): actively seeks contact with
regular caregivers, separation anxiety or distress when mother leaves. Mother
= secure base
4. Reciprocal relationships (1,5 - 2 years): understanding of others, regulated
relationship because child takes an active role in developing a relationship
with the parents, separation anxiety decreases.
Internal model of attachment = the child’s mental representation of the self, of
attachment figure(s), and of relationships in general that is constructed as a result of
experiences with caregivers. The working model guides children’s interactions with
caregivers and other people in infancy at older ages.
→ influences the overall adjustment, social behavior, perceptions of others, and
development of their self-esteem and sense of self.
→ guides the individual’s expectations about relationships throughout life.
Measurement of attachment security
