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Comparing Bowlby And Ainsworth's Attachment Theory

856 Words4 Pages

Attachment is the condition of being attached to something or someone, in particular. (Google.com) In particular, according to Bowlby and Ainsworth, primarily their focus was the attachment to another human being, predominantly a care taker, prior to the age of five years old. Through these early years children go through different phases of attachment, all of importance to a person’s well-being and adjustments throughout the rest of their adolescent and adult life. Bowlby focused on phases of attachment as Ainsworth focused on types of attachments and attachment disorders. Both theorists proved that the early stages of infancy and a solid, healthy, nurturing connection to a caretaker was vital in the development of the infant. It wasn’t …show more content…

Bowlby was able to identify specific phases of attachment, and Ainsworth was able to name the outcomes of the different types of attachment. Separation from caregiver to infant causes distress in the baby; however, if the baby’s cries for their needs to be met are responded too, it creates a trust and a sense of security in the child that helps development. These ideas of attachment relate to Ericson’s Theory Attachment Theory in that they are the foundation. Erickson’s attachment theory begins in infancy and continues through the entire lifespan of a person. With Erickson, each phase outcome contributes to the next phase and one cannot develop to their full potential if the foundation, the early stages, have undergone disconnect with a primary care-giver. Focusing on Erickson’s first phase of Trust vs. Mistrust has the same components as both Bowlby and Ainsworth. Again, with Erickson’s theory we see the needs, being appropriately cared for by the caregiver, as a primary development tool in the infant’s behavior long term. The infant is born into a world of needing help to survive and the infant looks to the caregiver to provide this; to create stability and trust, that will carry on to build the next …show more content…

However, I is the fact that I am the responsible one for inflicting separation with my own children and various points in their life. The hardest would be my two youngest children; both being without me for the early part of their life. My youngest daughter was taken out of my care at the age of 9 months and was returned when she was two years old. The only saving grace for her was that she was placed with my cousin who provided her love and attention as if she was her own; therefore, minimizing the impact that losing me had on her. When we talk about her living there for the short time that she did, at the age of 6 she does not remember. She does not identify with not ever being with me.
I wasn’t so lucky with my 10 year old. Her father and I split up when she was just 6 months old and he was awarded custody of her. I did not have relationship with her until she was 6 years old. I can see the distance that she has with me compared to my other children. There is nothing that will get that bond back. I lost the opportunity to bond with her during some of the most crucial parts of her life. What I know is that this has taught me so much in the work that I do

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