Attachment Theory

Attachment theory is a psychological model that explains how early childhood experiences shape our ability to form and maintain relationships throughout our lives. According to attachment theory, our early relationships with our primary caregivers create internal working models that guide our expectations and behaviors in future relationships.

History of Attachment Theory

Attachment theory was first developed by British psychologist John Bowlby in the 1950s and 60s. Bowlby observed that infants who were separated from their mothers for extended periods of time exhibited distress and anxiety, which he called separation anxiety. Bowlby posited that this anxiety was the result of a deep-seated need for human connection and attachment, which he believed was a basic human instinct.

Bowlby's work was expanded upon by American psychologist Mary Ainsworth in the 1970s, who developed a method called the Strange Situation Test to assess the quality of attachment between infants and their caregivers. Ainsworth identified three main attachment styles: secure attachment, anxious-ambivalent attachment, and avoidant attachment.

Attachment Styles

• Secure attachment: securely attached individuals feel comfortable with emotional intimacy and are able to form healthy, stable relationships.
• Anxious-ambivalent attachment: anxiously attached individuals crave intimacy, but often feel insecure or anxious in relationships.
• Avoidant attachment: avoidantly attached individuals tend to avoid emotional intimacy altogether, either because they fear rejection or because they prefer to maintain their independence.

Understanding your own attachment style can help you identify patterns in your relationships, and can also help you develop more secure, healthy attachments in the future.

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