Get Attachments), Which Involves One Party

Mary Ainsworth's attachment theory is a culmination of her work in Uganda, with the Baltimore Project, and John Bowlby's theories of research and development. Her theory states that children and infants need to develop a secure dependence on their parents before seeking unfamiliar situations.

Bowlby's Attachment Theory outlines three distinct stages of attachment: preattachment, attachment-in-the-making, and clear-cut attachment. Each stage is characterized by specific behaviors and responses from the child towards their caregiver.

There are four basic characteristics that basically give us a clear view of what attachment really is. They include a safe heaven, a secure base, proximity maintenance and separation distress. These four attributes are very evident in the relationship between a child and his caregiver.

The major determinant of the infant's pattern of attachment (secure, avoidant, ambivalent, or disorganized) appears to be the quality of care the primary caregiver(s) provides.

Beyond categorizing attachment as secure or insecure, there are three subsets of insecure attachment which give us the four main attachment styles: Secure attachment. Anxious (or ambivalent) attachment. Avoidant-dismissive attachment. Disorganized attachment.

There are four styles that grew out of the Strange Situation experiment. One is secure attachment. The other three — anxious, avoidant and disorganized — are considered insecure attachment styles. Each style exists on a spectrum, so you may not find yourself identifying completely with any one style.

The different attachment styles Secure attachment. Anxious (or ambivalent) attachment. Avoidant-dismissive attachment. Disorganized attachment.