Attachment Theory by Mary Ainsworth

Attachment Theory by Mary Ainsworth

Developmental psychology is a branch of psychology which studies the individual’s development across the lifespan. Starting in childhood, development psychologists such as Piaget, Kohleberg and Vygotsky explain the workings of the mind of children, adolescents and developing adults. Also, Freud and Erickson likewise describe stages of development. Thus, Mary Ainsworth was a Canadian developmental psychologist who greatly contributed to the field with her theory on attachment. The theory rested on the strange situation paradigm and described several styles of attachment.

Feelings of attachment are sometimes transferred onto objects. Indeed, people get attached to their plush teddy bears or fluffy kitten. Image: Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

But what is attachment? Attachment constitutes affection, tenderness and feelings of belongingness felt towards an individual or group of individuals, such as a family.

For example, the Holidays are a period when families come together and celebrate being a family and sharing with loved ones. Hence, in the strange situation paradigm an infant is left alone with a stranger, while their caretaker is in another room. The way the infant interacts with the stranger is said to portray the attachment style, which can in turn be secure or insecure. The insecure type is further subdivided into ambiguous and dismissive.