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Bowlby Attachment Theory�

Migdalia Vargas

Social Work 550 Loss & Life Transition

Sacred Heart University

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Bowlby’s 4 Attachments:Attachment is defined as a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings and may be considered interchangeable with concepts such as “affectional bond” and “emotional bond.” A human being’s first attachment is often established during infancy with the primary caregiver; however, it must be noted that attachment is not unique to infant-caregiver relationships but may also be present in other forms of social relationships.�� John Bowlby was the first psychologist who started an extensive study on attachment. According to Bowlby's Attachment Theory, attachment is a psychological connectedness that occurs between humans and lasts for a long period of time. To Bowlby, attachment is what keeps a baby connected to his mother, considering the needs of the child that can only be satisfied by his parent.

  • 1) Safe Haven
  • 2) Secure Base
  • 3) Proximity Maintenance
  • 4) Separation Distress

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Attachments

1) Safe Haven

Ideally, the child can rely on his caregiver for comfort at times whenever he feels threatened, frightened or in danger. For example, if a child is given a toy that he doesn't like, he'd cry and his mother would remove the toy and hug the child so he would stop crying.

2) Secure Base

Here, the caregiver gives a good and reliable foundation to the child as he goes on learning and sorting out things by himself.

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Attachments

3) Proximity Maintenance

This means that the child aims to explore the world but still tries to stay close to his care giver.

4) Separation Distress

This means that the child becomes unhappy and sorrowful when he becomes separated from his caregiver. For example, an infant cries loudly when his mother leaves for work.

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References:

  • McLeod, S. A. (2017, Febuary 05). Attachment theory. Simply Psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html

  • Sincero, M.,S.( 2012). Bowlby Attachment Theory. Retrieved Sep 29, 2022 from Explorable.com:

 https://explorable.com/bowlby-attachment-theory

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3/1/20XX