Avoidant Attachment Theory

Attachment is a reciprocal and enduring tie that is formed between two people, particularly between an infant and his or her caregiver. Both parties play a role in the quality of the relationship and the strength of the attachment that follows. Attachment is an important part of life and an adaptive characteristic because it ensures that all of the baby’s needs will be met, including those of physical and psychosocial nature. Many believe that attachment is actually a biological process in which babies and parents simply have a natural predisposition to become attached to each other, supporting the adaptive characteristic of attachment. Two studies using functional MRIs have actually supported this theory. One Japanese study examined mothers’ brains, and found that when their own baby cried, certain parts of their brains were activated more than they were when they heard the cries of other babies. A study conducted in the United States found when mothers looked at smiling images of their babies, maternal reward-processing brain regions associated with dopamine were actually activated. This did not occur when the …show more content…
This attachment style would align with the avoidant attachment in childhood. These people may seek isolation and a “pseudo-independence,” and may come off as overly focused on themselves. This pseudo-independence, however, is an illusion and an unhealthy sense of independence. As humans, we do need some kind of connection or intimacy, whether it is romantic or not. However, people with dismissive-avoidant attachment may deny the importance of loved ones, and so, detach easily from them. Like children with avoidant attachment, they are outwardly unaffected by their loved ones’ actions. They will show little emotion, either positive or negative, and come off as apathetic even in highly emotional