Attachment Theory

As adults, our relationships and bonds with other people such as partners and friends are often shaped by our early experiences of connection. This understanding and study of relationships is called attachment theory. Although even Freud had a theory related to attachment and bond formation between mothers and infants, attachment theory was first truly studied in the 1950s by a psychologist named John Bowlby. He saw attachment as developing initially between a child and a caregiver in order to fulfil an evolutionary need such as safety; for example, a child who maintained a secure connection with a caregiver was much more likely to reach adulthood via healthy channels and go on to have children of their own.

Another researcher, Mary Ainsworth, developed an experiment called the “strange situation” which she used in the 1970s to further Bowlby’s work and seek to understand how attachment relates to behaviour. From Ainsworth’s work, she identified three types of attachment styles: avoidant-insecure, ambivalent-insecure, and secure; later work by Main and Solomon added a fourth style, called disorganized-insecure attachment.

So why is it important to understand attachment styles? Because the way we relate to people throughout our lives is influenced by the types of bonds and connections we have with our early caregivers. Sometimes, if we’ve had the chance to develop secure attachments as children, we can go on to have safe and healthy relationships with others. However, if we have an alternative type of attachment style, that can have unfavourable and less stabilizing effects on our relationships as adults. By understanding our attachment style and working through any non-secure attachments in counselling, we can build better relationships in our lives.

What can you do?

Check out this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyV0NksMbiE Youtube video, which explains the history of attachment theory and gives a brief overview of how attachment theory relates to different aspects of life.

Stay tuned for next week’s blog on what secure attachment looks like in both childhood and adulthood.

 Reach out to one of the excellent counsellors or psychologists at Center Street Psychology for in-person support in Calgary, or virtual mental health services in Alberta and Canada-wide.

Written by: Lindsay Mcnena