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Theories Of Childhood Development

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Childhood development is defined as the psychical, emotional, social and cognitive development of the child from the moment of birth till the entrance of adulthood. This process includes the four different stages, infant at an age between 0-2 years, toddler at an age between 2-6 years, child at an age between 6-12 years, and adolescent at an age between 12-18 years. Additionally, John Bowlby argues it is the two first stages, infant and toddler, of life that influences the most upon the social relationships in the future. At these stages, the need for a caring, responsive and interested caregiver is essential (Cherry, 2016a). Attachment is defined as being the very deep emotional bond between the individual and their attachment figure that …show more content…

The theory is essential within the psychological research of childhood development and adult love relationships, because it provides an explanation of how the child will attach to the caregiver, and how this attachment will continue throughout life and adult love relationships (McLeod, 2009). According to Bowlby, the four main characteristics of attachment are Safe Haven, which is the ability to rely on caregiver for comfort and safety, Secure Base, which is the action of the caregiver who will create security for the infant, Proximity Maintenance, which is the infant’s desire to be close to the caregiver, and Separation Distress, which is the infant feeling distressed when the caregiver is not present (Cherry, …show more content…

During childhood, the internal working model is established when the child creates expectations for the experiences with the attachment figure. Afterwards, these mental representations or the internal working model will more or less stay unchanged throughout the rest of the child’s life, and will establish the expectations for adult love relationships. Therefore, it was theorized that if the child felt that the attachment figure was attentive towards the child’s needs specially during infancy, the child will likely feel secure and loved due to the secure attachment pattern, and the child as an adult is likely to end in a trustworthy, happy and secure love relationship. Whereas, if the child felt that the attachment figure was not responsive towards the child 's needs, the child will likely feel insecure and unloved causing an avoidant attachment pattern, and the child as an adult is likely to end up in an emotional imbalanced, untrustworthy and insecure love relationship (Bowlby, Ainsworth & Bretherton,

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Although we are studying theories, some of them appear to explain human behavior and personality with certain accuracy. John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth theories of attachment can also explain what happens to people when attachment to their parents or caregivers is healthy or potential problems that could occur due to detachments. They suggest that individuals raised with secure attachments to their primary caregivers help them to feel secure; moreover, these children appear to be more socially skilled and less likely to experience major emotional disturbances. However, failure to form healthy attachments, especially mother-child, could serve as a descriptive mechanism for many negative psychological outcomes later in the life of an individual,

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His idea of the theory was that when infants became attached to adults whom are responsive and sensitive during the social interactions and form a maintained caregiving relationship during the 6 months to 3 years of life (McLeod). Without the development of attachment, children could suffer from serious impairments both psychological and social. This process establishes various forms of attachment, which in the future will guide the thoughts, feelings, and expectations in children as adults in their future relationships. In this paper, there will be explanations, examples, and other psychologist discussing their attachment theories. There are four different style of attachment in adults; Secure, Dismissive, Preoccupied, and Fearful-Avoidant.

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Children are completely reliant on the adults in their early lives. Whether it is their biological parents, foster parents, or other family members, children need to be able to build upon healthy relationships in order to achieve normal development (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2004). In John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth’s “strange theory” there are four different kinds of attachment between the parent and child: secure attachment, anxious-ambivalent attachment, anxious-avoidant attachment, and disorganized attachment (Fraley, 2010). Not having a secure attachment in infancy can cause a multitude of problems. There are many aspects in a child’s life that can have an effect on whether or not the child is able to develop healthy relationships with adults

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According to Davies Attachment Theory, there are four types of attachment relationships between an infant and the caregiver(s) (229-232). After talking to my parents about how I reacted when they left a room when I was in an environment or around family members I was not familiar with, I demonstrated a secure attachment with my parents and my dad’s parents. Family members would say I was spoiled because I would cry and want either of my parents when they left the room. However, according to Ainsworth Strange Situation Experiment, that is a common characteristic of an infant and caregiver(s) secure attachment relationship. Due to this secure attachment relationship I had with my parents, I left safe in my environment.

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Securely attached children have the capacity to be connected with their and others emotions and can talk about it easily. They are aware of the main elements of positive relationship building and are capable of building relationships with certain expectations. They have better coping mechanisms and have healthier way of relieving their pain and trauma. Insecure attachment is found in the children who weren't able to establish a mutual relationship with their primary caretaker or parent. It can be caused by various reasons: if the child is never sure if he his needs are going to be met, or if the parent is going to respond with anxiety, stress or if the parent is going to just ignore the needs.

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In Development During Middle Childhood, Andrew Collins looks at many different perspectives of middle childhood. The perspective I was most interested in was the “Sibling Caretaking” portion. (345). Most children, age six to twelve, have been found to be the primary caretaker of there younger siblings or younger children amongst their cultural group. Sibling caretaking is also referred to as “shared functioning”.

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This essay looks at whether attachment plays a role in close relationships by explaining what attachment is, looking at research, and considering alternative approaches. Attachment Our infant experiences with our mother prepare us for adult relationships (Bowlby, 1960). From this, we form opinions about self-esteem and interpersonal trust.

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Early childhood caregiving impacts attachment styles, emotional regulation in adulthood. Early bonds with caregivers have a bearing on relationship building throughout our lives (Ainsworth 1989Bowlby, 1980) Emotion regulation is vital for well-being, which is also affected by early caregiving. Broderick, P.C. & Blewitt, P. (2015).p 131 Conflict handling includes – openness, non-defensiveness, reasonably assertive and still flexible for compromise .In secure way problem solving is ability to compromise for a mutual benefit. Avoidant mates are uncompromising and anxious give in.

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Since the ‘50s, Bowlby worked alone and with distinguished colleagues such as psychoanalyst James Robertson, ethologist/zoologist Robert Hinde and psychologist Mary Ainsworth on several different studies. Bowlby suggested that due to the attachment between children and their carers, children suffer loss when they are separated. Bowlby’s study with the ethologist Robert Hinde, inspired the idea that certain attachment behaviours have evolved as a survival mechanism (Bergen, 2008). The core of the theory today is that the quality of close relationships affects personality, emotional and social development not only in childhood but throughout the life of the individual (Howe, 2001). This suggests that attachment theory is effectively a biological, psychological and social theory of human development.

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I thought the article was very interesting, because it gives you different theories and viewpoints of attachment. We are all conceived with the impulse to append to a defensive and cherishing individual who will deal with us guide, and bolster us. Connection is an imperative procedure, as youngsters' physical, passionate, and mental improvement relies on upon connections shaped to folks or grown-up parental figures. While the supply of sustenance, garments, and sanctuary is critical, it is insufficient to advance ordinary improvement. Cherishing consideration and consideration are likewise required if kids are to develop into grown-ups equipped for shaping sound associations with others.

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Psychology Assignment.   Whilst the process of attachment in early life may appear straightforward, there is however, a number of theories that can explain how this can vary.   The development and importance of attachment in early life is well portrayed in psychological theory and in psychological research.   The definition of attachment according to Bowlby (1982) (Psychological Science by Michael Gazzaniga Page 366) is that "attachment is a strong, emotional connection that persists over time and across circumstances".

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Attachment in early life is a fundamental aspect of child development and the establishment of intimate and reciprocal relationships with caregivers. Shaffer & Kipp (2007) define attachment as ‘a close emotional relationship between two persons, characterized by mutual affection and a desire to maintain proximity’. Contrary to the original view of infant attachment as a ‘secondary drive’ of the dependency on caregivers for physiological needs, such as hunger; Bowlby (1969, 1973) proposed that all infants are born with an innate bias to form an attachment to a primary attachment figure to whom they can seek comfort, or a ‘secure base’ during stressful circumstances. It is proposed by Ainsworth (1967) that parental sensitivity is crucial to shaping the security and development of the initial infant-parent attachment relationship, however the phenomenon of attachment requires both infants and caregivers to contribute in the formation of the attachment bond. Ultimately, the quality of attachment in early life shapes both the social and emotional

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Slide 1 Slide 2 Early interactions between child and caregiver are the direct core of the attachment theory. The bond that develops between them is the nucleus of the identity formation as well as interpersonal attitudes. According to John Bowlby, the attachment bond is a complex behavioral system that functions throughout human evolution. It protects the infant from danger by seeking security from a guardian. With security from the guardian the likelihood of survival are enhanced as well as possible reproduction.

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Everything we know about child development is rooted in developmental theories one way or another. Great thinkers like Freud have had a hand in developing theories to explain how a child learns and develops from the time they are born. If we didn‘t have theories to go off, I do not believe we would know where to start with attachments. What makes scholarly research different from anecdotal evidence (personal experience) in explaining child and adolescent

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Relationships whether romantic or friendship does not exist without attraction. To understand how attraction occur between people, Interpersonal Attraction and Attachment theory have been taken account in this essay which will help us to understand how it takes place between people and these theories will be explained, described, compared and contrasted using different literature review. Attachment theory is described as the bond that develops between the baby and its primary caregivers Bowlby (1950), where interaction patterns develop to meet the baby’s needs and for emotional development purposes. For the child’s development, primary and secondary attachment is essential. Primary attachment refers to a child’s lifelong emotional bond with

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