ATTACHMENT THEORY: JOHN BOWLBY

ATTACHMENT THEORY: JOHN BOWLBY

1. THE PAST HELPS TO ASSERT A SENSE OF IDENTITY

   • main purpose of childhood is to build sense of identity and figure out how we fit into the world

2. babies not passive, seek relationships and about age of 6mths begin to form attachment to primary care giver

   • quality of the attachment depends on the skills and abilities as well as situation of primary care giver

3. forming attachments is childs first steps in learning about selves and relationships

4. attachment relationship provides child with secure base from which to explore the world

   • secure base provides the child with the ability to explore they world and how they fit into it
     • no secure base/attachment figure = inflexible, incoherent wrking model

5. internal working model is how child will predict what will happen if they act in certain way

   • childs 1st IWM developed by observing main carer
     • so if child doesn't recieve sensitive care giving they will view themselves as unworthy of care

6. INTERNAL WORKING MODEL

   • SCRIPTS AND STORIES children form to explain how events flow in their minds
     • will make script frm 1st experience of event
       • will only change when experience shows them otherwise
     • grwing child undertands wrld through elaborate collection of scripts and stories, most imp of which will have them at centre