Ainsworth Attachment Summary

In this article by Ainsworth (1978) attachment systems are broken down and discussed. To better understand attachment Ainsworth and colleagues did an experiment with babies. The procedure was called strange situations. Overall the study showed that there were three types of attachments. Anxious-avoidant were babies that a take it or leave it attitudes toward their moms. Anxious ambivalent were babies that generally cried when their mom left them in strange situations. Secure attachments are most common babies are positive with in their behavior toward his mom and more willing to comply with mother’s request. The piece done by Harlow and Harlow (1965) is a similar article of an experiment that took place before Ainsworth (1978). In this experiment the harlows explain affectional systems in a controlled experiment with rhesus monkeys. This experiment revolutionized child psychology. It was the first to demonstrate the importance of physical contact established in the infant-mother affectional bond. One

The way a child is raised will have strong implications on how he will be during adulthood. Babies that have anxious ambivalent attachment cry when their moms left them in a strange situation. But when the mom returned they did not know whether to hug or avoid their mom when she returns (Ainsworth 1978 cited in Dixon,2003). Later in life this child will have trouble exploring the world because he doesn’t have a strong base with his mom. This is a certain example sensitive periods of time in a Childs life that is needed to happen to have him or her advance cognitive. Inclusion without developing a secure attachment with infants the infant will not be social or have good social skills. The infant will not be as independent compare to others. They will be more aggressive, less empathetic and less emotionally mature in early and middle childhood.