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Inge Bretherton - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the origins of Attachment Theory john bowlby and mary ainsworth
Developmental Psychology, 1992Co-Authors: Inge BrethertonAbstract:Attachment Theory is based on the joint work of John Bowlby (1907-1991) and Mary Salter Ainsworth (1913- ). Its developmental history begins in the 1930s, with Bowlby's growing interest in the link between maternal loss or deprivation and later personality development and with Ainsworth's interest in security Theory. Although Bowlby's and Ainsworth's collaboration began in 1950, it entered its most creative phase much later, after Bowlby had formulated an initial blueprint of Attachment Theory, drawing on ethology, control systems Theory, and psychoanalytic thinking, and after Ainsworth had visited Uganda, where she conducted the first empirical study of infantmother Attachment patterns. This article summarizes Bowlby's and Ainsworth's separate and joint contributions to Attachment Theory but also touches on other theorists and researchers whose work influenced them or was influenced by them. The article then highlights some of the major new fronts along which Attachment Theory is currently advancing. The article ends with some speculations on the future potential of the Theory. Attachment Theory is the joint work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth (Ainsworth & Bowlby, 1991). Drawing on concepts from ethology, cybernetics, information processing, developmental psychology, and psychoanalysis, John Bowlby formulated the basic tenets of the Theory. He thereby revolutionized our thinking about a child's tie to the mother and its disruption through separation, deprivation, and bereavement. Mary Ainsworth's innovative methodology not only made it possible to test some of Bowlby's ideas empirically but also helped expand the Theory itself and is responsible for some of the new directions it is now taking. Ainsworth contributed the concept of the Attachment figure as a secure base from which an infant can explore the world. In addition, she formulated the concept of maternal sensitivity to infant signals and its role in the development of infant-mother Attachment patterns. The ideas now guiding Attachment Theory have a long developmental history. Although Bowlby and Ainsworth worked independently of each other during their early careers, both were influenced by Freud and other psychoanalytic thinkers—directly in Bowlby's case, indirectly in Ainsworth's. In this article, I document the origins of ideas that later became central to Attachment Theory. I then discuss the subsequent period of Theory building and consolidation. Finally, I review some of the new directions in which the Theory is currently developing and speculate on its future potential. In taking this retrospective developmental approach to the origins of Attachment Theory, I am reminded of Freud's (1920/1955) remark:
J. David Creswell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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How integrative is Attachment Theory? Unpacking the meaning and significance of felt security
Psychological Inquiry, 2007Co-Authors: Richard M Ryan, Kirk Warren Brown, J. David CreswellAbstract:Comments on an article by Mikulincer and Shaver (see record 2007-13150-001). Mikulincer and Shaver argue that Attachment Theory belongs under the umbrella of positive psychology, and moreover that Attachment Theory can supply an integrative framework for the positive psychology movement. In their view, Attachment Theory offers a "demonstrably generative and empirically validated framework in which both positive and negative aspects of human behavior and experience can be conceptualized." Their target article attempts to support that view by reviewing some very creative and systematically connected experiments demonstrating the effects of security-supportive and unsupportive primes on an array of relational and well-being outcomes. In this commentary we have attempted to deconstruct the notion of felt security as a means to address Mikulincer and Shaver's position that Attachment Theory may supply an integrative framework for positive psychology. We hope the comments provide constructive occasion for Mikulincer and Shaver to continue to formulate the role of Attachment Theory in positive psychology (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved).
Jeremy Holmes - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Attachment Theory in Clinical Practice: A Personal Account
British Journal of Psychotherapy, 2015Co-Authors: Jeremy HolmesAbstract:Attachment Theory was built by Bowlby as an attempt to link psychoanalysis with the wider world of ethology, cybernetics and evolutionary Theory. Initially rejected by the psychoanalytic establishment there has been a gradual rapprochement. This paper attempts to accelerate this process by laying out the points of overlap and distinction between the Attachment and psychoanalytic perspectives on clinical treatment. It summarizes the main tenets of Attachment Theory and then looks in detail at the therapeutic alliance, classification, transference/countertransference, and interpretation and mentalizing from an Attachment perspective. A clinical example illustrates how insecure and secure Attachment play out in the consulting room, and the paper ends by suggesting that Attachment provides a suitable evidence base for the relational/Independent psychoanalytic approach.
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john bowlby and Attachment Theory
2014Co-Authors: Jeremy HolmesAbstract:Part I: Origins Chapter. Introduction. Biographical. Maternal Deprivation. Part II: Attachment Theory. Attachment, Anxiety, Internal Working Models. Loss, Anger and Grief. Attachment Theory and Personality Development: The Research Evidence. Part III: Implications. Bowlby and the Inner World: Attachment Theory and Psychoanalysis. Attachment Theory and the Practice of Psychotherapy. Attachment Theory and Psychiatric Disorder. Attachment Theory and Society. Epilogue
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The Clinical Implications of Attachment Theory
British Journal of Psychotherapy, 1994Co-Authors: Jeremy HolmesAbstract:The work of John Bowlby, although influential in developmental psychology and social psychiatry, has had relatively little impact within his parent discipline of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The paper traces Bowlby's relationship with the British Psychoanalytic Society, contrasting his ideas with those of Klein. Drawing on recent findings in developmental psychology stimulated by Attachment Theory, it outlines the clinical relevance of the concepts of the secure base and narrative, and reviews notions of defence and the Oedipal situation from the Attachment perspective. Attachment Theory is not a new ‘school’ of psychotherapy but addresses principles which underlie all effective therapies. An extended case study is described illustrating these points.
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Attachment Theory: a biological basis for psychotherapy?
British Journal of Psychiatry, 1993Co-Authors: Jeremy HolmesAbstract:John Bowlby bemoaned the separation between the biological and psychological approaches in psychiatry, and hoped that Attachment Theory, which brings together psychoanalysis and the science of ethology, would help bridge the rift between them. Recent findings in developmental psychology have delineated features of parent-infant interaction, especially responsiveness, attunement, and modulation of affect, which lead to either secure or insecure Attachment. Similar principles can be applied to the relationship between psychotherapist and patient--the provision of a secure base, the emergence of a shared narrative ('autobiographical competence'), the processing of affect, coping with loss--these are common to most effective psychotherapies and provide the basis for a new interpersonal paradigm within psychotherapy. Attachment Theory suggests they rest on a sound ethological and hence biological foundation.
Richard M Ryan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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How integrative is Attachment Theory? Unpacking the meaning and significance of felt security
Psychological Inquiry, 2007Co-Authors: Richard M Ryan, Kirk Warren Brown, J. David CreswellAbstract:Comments on an article by Mikulincer and Shaver (see record 2007-13150-001). Mikulincer and Shaver argue that Attachment Theory belongs under the umbrella of positive psychology, and moreover that Attachment Theory can supply an integrative framework for the positive psychology movement. In their view, Attachment Theory offers a "demonstrably generative and empirically validated framework in which both positive and negative aspects of human behavior and experience can be conceptualized." Their target article attempts to support that view by reviewing some very creative and systematically connected experiments demonstrating the effects of security-supportive and unsupportive primes on an array of relational and well-being outcomes. In this commentary we have attempted to deconstruct the notion of felt security as a means to address Mikulincer and Shaver's position that Attachment Theory may supply an integrative framework for positive psychology. We hope the comments provide constructive occasion for Mikulincer and Shaver to continue to formulate the role of Attachment Theory in positive psychology (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved).
Kenneth N. Levy - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Introduction: Attachment Theory and psychotherapy.
Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2013Co-Authors: Kenneth N. LevyAbstract:In this introduction to the JCLP: In Session 69(11) issue on Attachment Theory and psychotherapy, the key points of Attachment Theory (Bowlby, 1969, 1973, 1981) and its relevance to psychotherapy are briefly described. The aim of this issue is to provide case illustrations of how an Attachment Theory perspective and principles can expand our understanding of psychotherapy practice.
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Introduction to the special section on Attachment Theory and psychotherapy.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2006Co-Authors: Joanne Davila, Kenneth N. LevyAbstract:In this introduction to the special section on Attachment Theory and psychotherapy, the editors briefly describe the key points of Attachment Theory (J. Bowlby, 1969, 1973, 1980) and its relevance to psychotherapy. They then outline their criteria for the selection of papers and briefly describe their emphasis. The aim of this section is to present novel and thought-provoking research that highlights the ways Attachment Theory principles contribute to understanding psychotherapy practice and outcome. It was the editors' goal to ensure breadth of coverage in terms of specific problems, range of populations, and types of treatments represented and to emphasize Attachment-based treatments and outcomes. John Bowlby's (1969, 1973, 1980) Attachment Theory is one of the most influential theories of development and has implications for both personality and psychopathology across the life span. Attachment Theory evolved from Bowlby's interest in diverse scientific disciplines, including psychoanalysis, ethology, evolu- tion, cognitive psychology, and developmental psychology. He integrated principles from each of these areas to explain affectional bonding between infants and their caregivers and the long-term effects of early Attachment experiences on personality develop- ment, interpersonal functioning, and psychopathology. He concep- tualized human motivation in terms of behavioral systems, a con- cept borrowed from ethology, and noted that Attachment-related behavior in infancy (e.g., clinging, crying, smiling, monitoring caregivers, and developing a preference for a few reliable caregiv- ers, or Attachment figures) is part of a functional biological system that increases the likelihood of protection from dangers and pre- dation, comfort during times of stress, and social learning. Modern Attachment Theory also stresses that the fundamental survival gain of Attachment lies not only in eliciting a protective caregiver response but also in the experience of psychological containment of aversive affect states required for the development of a coherent self (Fonagy, 1999). Central to Attachment Theory is the notion that children will feel secure in their relationship with their Attachment figure to the extent that the Attachment figure provides consistent, warm, and sensitive care. When this happens, children learn to use the attach- ment figure as a secure base in that they are willing to turn to the Attachment figure in times of need, the Attachment figure is avail- able and responsive, and they are able to be comforted by the Attachment figure in a way that allows them to feel better and to return to other activities. This secure base hypothesis also suggests that when there is a lack of consistent, sensitive care, children will feel insecure in their relationship with their Attachment figure and consequently be unable to use the Attachment figure as a secure base. Support for Bowlby's (1969, 1973, 1980) Theory was provided by Mary Ainsworth and her colleagues (e.g., Ainsworth, Blehar, Waters, & Wall, 1978), who documented different patterns of secure base use among children and their parents. These patterns— termed secure, avoidant (or dismissing), and anxious-ambivalent (or preoccupied)—were shown to correlate with observed mater- nal behavior toward children in the home (see Weinfeld, Sroufe,
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Attachment Theory psychoanalysis personality development and psychopathology
Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 2003Co-Authors: Sidney J Blatt, Kenneth N. LevyAbstract:Blatt and Levy place Attachment Theory and research in a broad theoretical matrix by considering the relationship of Attachment patterns to personality development and to different types of psychopathology in adults. Thus Blatt and Levy construct conceptual bridges between the two configurations of personality development and psychopathology that Blatt and colleagues have developed over the past quarter century (e.g., Behrends and Blatt, 1985; Blatt, 1974, 1995; Blatt and Behrends, 1987; Blatt and Blass, 1990, 1996; Blatt and Shichman, 1983) and Attachment Theory and research. Blatt and Levy identify a polarity that is central to Attachment Theory and research, the polarity of Attachment and separation, and they note that this polarity has also been central in much of classic psychoanalytic Theory (e.g., Freud, 1930; Loewald, 1962). This polarity is expressed in Attachment Theory and research in the differences between avoidant and anxious-preoccupied insecure Attachment patterns as well in the distinctio...
