This paper discusses five parts of attachment theory as follows: First, defining what attachment is; Second, introducing attachment theory; Third, remarking on the historical record of a rare case study to give broad context for attachment theory; Fourth, implications for early childhood; and Fourth, implications for adulthood.
Attachment theory is relatively new, only existing for several decades. Secure, loving attachments are pivotal for the successful development (in all domains) for humanity that it is hard to believe of a time where we, as a species, individually decided what was the best way to raise children. The research is clear, being emotionally available to children starting at the moment of birth and onwards throughout childhood …show more content…
As the Handbook of Attachment: Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications written by Jude Cassidy and Phillip R. Shaver makes clear, "early attachment is important because of its influence on developmental functions that have long-term consequences for brain development, affect regulation, relational synchrony, and early representations of relationships [...] later interpersonal competence, psychological adjustment, and self-understanding foster [as well as] the development of social skills and social dispositions that, as they are generalized to other social partners, elicit complementary responses from partners and contribute to the development of relationships" (Cassidy, 2016 p. 353). There are numerous studies that all underscore the importance of high quality attachment for children, both short-term benefits as well as long …show more content…
All relationships in adolecense and adulthood, either romantic, familial, or friendship may be impacted by the success of attachment in childhood! When entering new relationships, adolescents and adults use memories of the quality of their own attachment to their parent or primary caregiver as clues to help guide their expectations from others! An example, "a seven-year longitudinal survey following 112 adolescents as they entered adulthood found that individuals with secure working models experienced low stress in their relationships with parents, peers, and romantic partners and turned to their social network when they needed any help with their relationships. In contrast, those adolescents with more anxious working models experienced high relationship stress, especially with their parents, and used less effective coping mechanisms (Seiffge-Krenke, 2006)" (Seccombe, 2015 p. 103). The lifetime implications of attachment theory warrant it's importance to be universally known and understood as it has far-reaching effects on the very nature and outcome of a
Attachment theory is relatively new, only existing for several decades. Secure, loving attachments are pivotal for the successful development (in all domains) for humanity that it is hard to believe of a time where we, as a species, individually decided what was the best way to raise children. The research is clear, being emotionally available to children starting at the moment of birth and onwards throughout childhood …show more content…
As the Handbook of Attachment: Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications written by Jude Cassidy and Phillip R. Shaver makes clear, "early attachment is important because of its influence on developmental functions that have long-term consequences for brain development, affect regulation, relational synchrony, and early representations of relationships [...] later interpersonal competence, psychological adjustment, and self-understanding foster [as well as] the development of social skills and social dispositions that, as they are generalized to other social partners, elicit complementary responses from partners and contribute to the development of relationships" (Cassidy, 2016 p. 353). There are numerous studies that all underscore the importance of high quality attachment for children, both short-term benefits as well as long …show more content…
All relationships in adolecense and adulthood, either romantic, familial, or friendship may be impacted by the success of attachment in childhood! When entering new relationships, adolescents and adults use memories of the quality of their own attachment to their parent or primary caregiver as clues to help guide their expectations from others! An example, "a seven-year longitudinal survey following 112 adolescents as they entered adulthood found that individuals with secure working models experienced low stress in their relationships with parents, peers, and romantic partners and turned to their social network when they needed any help with their relationships. In contrast, those adolescents with more anxious working models experienced high relationship stress, especially with their parents, and used less effective coping mechanisms (Seiffge-Krenke, 2006)" (Seccombe, 2015 p. 103). The lifetime implications of attachment theory warrant it's importance to be universally known and understood as it has far-reaching effects on the very nature and outcome of a