PSYC FPX 2700 Assessment 5 Attachment Theory

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Capella University

PSYC FPX 2700 Child Development

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Date

JOHN BOWLBY’S ATTACHMENT THEORY

John Bowlby was a psychoanalyst who posited that behavioral and mental health issues can be traced back to early childhood experiences (Mcleod, 2017). The attachment theory, initially introduced by Bowlby, suggests that both long-term and short-term personal connections develop between individuals (Berk). According to this theory, the process of attachment begins at birth and continues throughout adulthood (Cassidy, Jones, and Shaver, 2013). Bowlby argued that the relationships formed through attachment serve as a blueprint for all future social connections (Mcleod, 2017). Disruptions in these connections can lead to significant consequences (Mcleod, 2017). Mary Ainsworth later conducted research and experiments that furthered the understanding of attachment theory, identifying three distinct attachment styles: secure, insecure-avoidant, and insecure-resistant (Mcleod, 2018).

PHASES OF ATTACHMENT

Pre-Attachment (birth-6 weeks): In this initial phase, infants engage with everyone around them and do not exhibit distress when left with unfamiliar individuals.
Attachment (6 weeks to 8 months): During this stage, infants begin to differentiate between their primary and secondary caregivers, as well as recognize who is a stranger versus someone familiar.
Clear-Cut Attachment (8-24 months): Children in this phase may show friendliness towards others but can also experience separation anxiety from their primary caregivers.
Formation of a Reciprocal Relationship (24 months +): In this final phase, children develop the ability to self-soothe and exhibit reduced separation anxiety.

CASE STUDY: MARIE

Marie, a three-month-old girl, is thriving at 13 pounds and 23 inches long, primarily fed with breast milk. She has recently begun to hold her head up independently, grasp and shake toys, and sleep for six-hour intervals. Marie enjoys daily interactions with her siblings and has started to giggle and smile upon seeing or hearing them. She and her brother Jeremy will be attending an in-home daycare while their parents, Dana and Jamie, are at work. Since Dana’s return to work, Marie has begun waking and crying multiple times during the night.

MARIE’S PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Marie weighs 13 pounds and measures 23 inches in length.
She can hold her head up independently.
Marie has started to grasp, hold, and shake toys on her own.

MARIE’S COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Marie can now recognize the faces of her family members.
She is also able to identify the voices of her family members.

MARIE’S SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Marie smiles at her family members when she sees or hears them.
She is developing relationships with her family, particularly with her parents.
Marie has begun to exhibit signs of separation anxiety.

THE ATTACHMENT THEORY APPLIED TO MARIE’S DEVELOPMENT

According to Bowlby’s attachment theory, Marie is progressing through the various phases of attachment. During the pre-attachment phase, she was not distressed by being left with unfamiliar individuals. Currently, she is in the attachment phase, recognizing familiar people in her life, such as her siblings. Marie has established her preferred caregivers and is becoming aware of when her parents leave her with unfamiliar people at daycare, which is affecting her sleep. She is transitioning into the clear-cut attachment phase, where she will likely start to experience separation anxiety. Once she fully transitions into this phase, it is expected that she will cry when her parents leave her at daycare. As she continues to develop, she will eventually reach the final stage of attachment theory, where she will still have her favorite caregivers but will be more comfortable being left at daycare or school, understanding that her parents will return for her.

ATYPICAL OR TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT?

When applying Bowlby’s attachment theory to Marie’s development, it is evident that her progress is typical. She is moving through each phase as theorized for a typical child. The milestones she has achieved, such as developing a social smile, grasping and shaking toys, and holding her head up, are all standard developmental milestones for a child aged 2-3 months.

References

Berk, L. E. (n.d.). Infants and Children. [Capella]. Retrieved from https://capella.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780134246123/

Cassidy, J., Jones, J. D., & Shaver, P. R. (2013). Contributions of attachment theory and research: A framework for future research, translation, and policy. Development and Psychopathology, 25(4 Pt 2), 1415-1434. doi:10.1017/S0954579413000692

Mcleod, S. (2017). John Bowlby | Maternal Deprivation Theory | Simply Psychology. Retrieved May 20, 2020, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/bowlby.html

McLeod, S. (2018). Mary Ainsworth. Retrieved May 20, 2020, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/mary-ainsworth.html

Michaelsen, K. F., Lauritzen, L., & Mortensen, E. L. (2009). Effects of Breast-feeding on Cognitive Function. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 199–215. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8749-3_15