Bowlbys Attachment Theory

Introduction For the purpose of this assignment I go forth begin with a treation of John Bowl bys theory of fixing, this is sensation of the most used theories in childrens social work today. I will then discuss the origins of concomitant theory, with giving an overview of what attachment theory consists of. In addition I will critically analyse this theory by incorporating other theorists views. Further I will give a brief bill of how Mary Ainsworth questioned attachment and her outcomes and classifications, which strengthened and widened the theory.Finally I will discuss how this theory is used within social work settings, unitedly with influencing constitution initiatives . A brief overview is given regarding the ethical approach used together with its relevance to anti discriminatory practise. Bowlby initially began his career as a child psychiatrist, which later conduct him to undertake training at the British Psychoanalytic Institute. These early experiences contribut ed positively in Bowlbys research, which then led to the origins of attachment theory. This was his first empirical study to be undertaken. He examined cases of unadapted children in a school.Bowlby then linked the children who were committing petty crime, withal suffered with affectionless emotions. He then noted that all of these children had a history of separation and agnatic deprivation Bowlby then proceeded to expand his research, influenced by Konrad Lorenzs (1935) paper on imprinting. In which Lorenz researched behaviour of baby geese, where he stated is a phraseology sensitive learning which is implied within a _critical period (Lorenz 1935). _Bowlbys research was then one compromising concepts from ethologic, cybernetics and psychoanalysis methods.Thus making him guess that, humans are also born with tendencies to naturally promote attachment. The important concepts which Bowlby mainly focused on was monotropy a tendency to attach to one token care giver usually the mother. In addition he stated _the propensity to make strong emotional bonds to one particular individual is a basic component of human nature (Bowlby 1988). _He also goes on to state attachment aids in survival. Bowlby had dominating four categories that consisted in attachment. The proximity Maintenance Desire to be roughly the people we are attached to.Safe Haven Returning to the attachment figure for comfort and safety in the face of fear or threat Secure Base The attachment figure acts as a base of security from which the child can explore the surrounding environment. withdrawal Distress Anxiety that occurs in the absence of the attachment figure. Ambivalent hamper _Where the child usually become very distressed when parents leave. This type is un common, commonly a result of poor maternal availability. _ After Ainsworths research, (Main, Solomon 1986) added a fourth attachment style from their own research Conclusion