Evolution Of Attachment Theory

In observing the timeline, the events depicted shows the development of Attachment Theory from its early influence until the collaboration by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth (nee Salter). This theory was formulated by John Bowlby and then with further input it was elaborated by Mary Ainsworth. It seems as if this theory has originated from a base on ethological theories, the study of animal and human as they evolved; psychoanalytic perspective where the mother-child relationship was analyzed and; cognitive where the self and others are examined.

Mary Main an American who is a psychologist and a professor, has taken attachment theory into a new direction by applying it to adults. She was a student of Mary Ainsworth, and whilst working with her

He wanted to prove that the monkey responded to tactile comfort instead of the need for food, and protection. He took baby monkey and some was isolated, whilst the other was with a surrogate mother either with a wire mesh mother or clothed mother. The results of the isolated monkey was, they develop psychological disorders; those who were with the surrogate mothers, cling more to the clothed one than the mesh. His experiment showed the evolutionary theory of attachment, and importance of that attachment in the critical period, and if they are deprived they can suffer profound damage, not only in their childhood but also in their

He was of the opinion that a person has a time frame to pass through a specific stage; the oral, anal, phallic, latency, and the genital stage. If they do not overcome each stage, they become fixated to that stage, resulting in unresolved issues in their adult life. His theory has paved the way for other theory such as attachment, and according to Bowlby this attachment is a strong affectional tie that binds a person to an intimate companion (Sigelman & Rider, 2012). Charles Darwin contributed to the development of attachment theory. He was a naturalist and during his many voyage he came to his theory of evolution. Species has a common ancestor, and as the environment changed either the species adapt or the become extinct-survival of the fittest. His theory help us to understand the biological changed where there is a struggle for existence and how it influence instinct in the animal kingdom, it also applies to human where natural selection has evolved as seen in their social behaviour, reasoning and physical characteristics (Crain,