The Theory of Attachment and Attachment Styles Essay examples

Attachment is the emotional bond between humans, which is based on our relationship with a parent or early caregiver during the years of childhood. There are four different attachment styles – secure, preoccupied, dismissive, and fearful – each describing a different way in which individuals interact with others, approach social and romantic relationships, and deal with life. Each attachment style is divided along two dimensions – the fear of abandonment and the fear of closeness. Bartholomew and Horowitz define fear of abandonment as the model of self which describes the belief of an individual to be either â€Å"worthy of love and support or not† (1991). They also define fear of closeness as the model of other which describes an individual’s†¦show more content†¦The preoccupied attachment style is characterized by low fear of closeness and high fear of abandonment. Individuals classified as preoccupied have a negative model of themselves. Because preoccupies see themselves as unworthy of love and unsupportive, they tend to â€Å"strive for self-acceptance by gaining the acceptance of valued others† (Bartholomew, 227) and would do everything to keep people in their life; Preoccupied individuals try to avoid any kind of conflict in order to make themselves loveable and others happy. Despite the fact that preoccupies of ten see others as trustworthy and available, they also feel that others do not care about them as much as they care about others. Somebody I would classify as preoccupied would be my ex-boyfriend. He always felt that other people around him would not care as much about him as he cared about them. He was worried that I would not love him as much as he loved me and that I would not return his love. Whenever I broke up with him, he became upset; he talked to my parents and friends, texted me every day and tried to convince me to go back to him. My ex-boyfriend tried to avoid any kind of conflict – not just with me, but also with his parents – just to keep us happy. However, every time we had a conflict, he either agreed with me or felt bad afterwards and was afraid that I would not love him anymore.Show MoreRelatedAttachment Theory. Will’S Attachment Style Is Predominantly1538 Words   |  7 PagesAttachment Theory Will’s attachment style is predominantly of the insecure-avoidant attachment variety This style includes a tendency to keep people at arm’s length and be mistrustful, which is particularly problematic in a therapy session. According to Cassidy (2000), attachment styles are related to representational models, which are built based on experiences and the treatment the individual receives. However, these representational models and attachment styles aren’t set in stone. Thus, oneRead MoreAttachment Theory and Parenting Style Influence on Children Essay1185 Words   |  5 Pagesand child continually changes the pathway in which the child may take. How the child is raised and the parenting style used is a significant influence on that development by affecting the relationship between parent and child. This supports the Attachment theory in which emphasizes relationship between the child and caregiver as a key factor in development. 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However, regardless of the theory, one subscribes to it has been noted that a child requires, warmth, security, and confidence to meet the demands of the world. Psychologists posit that how a child and their caregiver form an attachment has long-term ramifications on all the child’s relationships. The attachment formed with the primary caregiver provides the child with the expectations they will carryRead MoreQuestions On Theories Of Attachment Essay1191 Words   |  5 PagesUnderstand Theories of Attachment. Evaluating two theories that explain the development of the infant attachment to parents or surrogates. Ainsworth and Bell’s theory, based on Strange Situation Test (SST), and Bowlby’s monotropic theory will be evaluated and shall show their usefulness in psychological research. Summary of Attachment. An attachment is, to quote Kagan et al. (1978, cited in Gross, 2015), â€Å"†¦an intense emotional relationship that is specific to two people, that endures over time,Read MoreEssay on Foundations and Characteristics of Attachment Theory1105 Words   |  5 PagesAttachment Theory Attachment theory comes out of the work of John Bowlby. However, it finds its genesis in Freud’s Psychoanalysis. Bowlby himself was trained in psychoanalysis and became a qualified practitioner in the approach. In his early 20s, however, before he enrolled in medical school or in the Institute of Psychoanalysis, he worked with children with behavior problems. These two forces, these experiences, perhaps formed the foundation and later development of his Attachment Theory. SpurredRead MoreHow Attachment Affects Your Adult Relationships898 Words   |  4 PagesINTRODUCTION We will be exploring the different styles of attachment, how parenting affects attachment style and in turn how it affects our love lives as adults. Built by close relationships, attachment can vary from one relationship to another, depending on how available that person is especially during infancy and childhood. As adults, we react to situations based on our attachment style, which is ingrained but not unchangeable. This not only affects our relationships with prospective partnersRead MoreClient Introduction : My Internship Essay1367 Words   |  6 PagesBorderline Personality Disorder, Depression, and anxiety. Lastly, she eluded to currently being in a domestic violence situation, and revealed that she has had a history of abusive relationships (R. Gonzalez, personal communication, July 23, 2014). Attachment Theory Historically, psychoanalysts have always adopted various empirical evidence-based practices. These practices assist them in generating a framework for applying influential interventions on their clients. For example; Erik Erikson, believed thatRead MoreThe Theory Of Attachment Theory1281 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Attachment theory centers around relationships and bonds formed between people. It generally focuses on long term relationships such as parents or caregivers and children. The theme of the theory is that if the primary caregiver is responsive to a child’s needs, then he or she will develop a sense of security. If a parent or caregiver does not provide this, a child will have trouble attaching and forming relationships in the future. There are theorists who have explored and researchedRead MoreClient Introduction : Rosa Gonzalez1349 Words   |  6 Pages(R. Gonzalez, personal communication, July 23, 2014). The purpose for this research paper is to integrate, connect, and exhibit how Contemporary Attachment Theory and Self-Psychology Theory have shaped Rosa Gonzalez’s thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and behaviors†¦. Contemporary Attachment Theory Historically, psychoanalyst have adopted various theories, or empirical evidence-based practices. These practices have given them a framework for applying specific interventions on their clients. For example;