Theories of Attachment

Psychoanalytic Theory
1. Freud believes children are oral creatures who derive satisfaction from sucking and mouthing objects. The mother is therefore the babies primary object of security.
  1. Erikson believed the caregiver who responds to the infants needs offer a sense of trust
Learning Theory
1. Infants become attached to persons who feed them and gratify their needs. It elicits positive responses as well as comfort. The child then relates the mother to this.
  1. Was later found that infants were more attracted to the warmth and comfort
Cognitive-Development Theory
1. Ability to form attachments depends on the infants level of cognitive development. Must be able to discriminate strangers as well as the concept of object permanence. Attachments first emerge around 7-9 months
  1. Same time as Piaget's fourth sensorimotor stage
Ecological Theory
1. All species are born with a number of innate behavioral tendencies that have contributed to the survival of species. Early viewpoints focused on imprinting and pre-adapted characteristics.
  1. Bowlby claims that secure attachments develop gradually as parents become more understanding of their babies emotions

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	Created by lynda_ashford_25 about 11 years ago