Essay On Bowlby's Attachment Theory

One of the most important human relationship that individual creates with other human is the relatively long-term emotionally bond in which an individual looks for security and comfort from the presence of another, i.e. the attachment. ‘A baby cannot exist alone, but is essentially part of a relationship’ (Winnicot, 1964). According to psychoanalytic and behaviourist perspective feeding was seen as a central context in which the caregiver and babies develop attachment. Idea not shared among the first psychoanalyst who introduced the concept of ‘attachment’: J. Bowlby in the 1950. However he was influenced by psychoanalytical theorists, such as Freud, Bowlby rejected the dominant Cupboard Love theory of attachment prevailing on psychoanalysis and he proposed a theory to explain how and why attachment relationships develop on the basis of ethological evidence. To support on Bowlby’s attachment theory furthers researchers such as Ainsworth M., Main and Salomon , the Robertsons, Belsky et al. have conducted important studies and researches that modified and developed Bowlby’s theory changing also the way society views the relationship between infants and their primary caregiver. This essay is going to focus on …show more content…
Moreover, Bowlby’ theory was developed immediately after the second war, and most of his work was influenced by the economic situation during that period. Indeed later researchers have criticized his work pointed out the lack of parental attachment to many non-Western societies. Bowlby’s attachment theory would not be accepted in other country where the social and economic situation would be completely different. Although, his theory affected childcare policies (most of the nursery started during the second war were close), as well as principles of basic clinical practice for