THE ROLE OF EARLY ATTACHMENT IN LIFESPAN

DEVELOPMENT: EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF INFANT-

CAREGIVER BONDING ON FUTURE EMOTIONAL AND

SOCIAL OUTCOMES.

SUBMITTED TO: MA’AM SAMEENA IQBAL SUBMITTED

BY: MARYAM KHAN

ENROLLMENT NO.: 01-171231-047

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Introduction

Human connection is very essential part of life, and the desire for belongingness is one of

the most basic motivations of humans. An early attachment between an infant and its primary

caregiver significantly affects the child's emotional regulation, social relationships, and

psychological well-being throughout their lifespan, as secure attachments can lead to resilience

and healthy relationships, in contrast, insecure attachment can lead to social and emotional

challenges. I will explore in this assignment what attachment is, its theories, and its styles. Along

with that, the long-term effects of attachment on social and emotional outcomes are supported by

strong research.

Theoretical analysis

Let us explore first how the attachment theory emerged then I will discuss attachment

theory in detail, its stages, styles and most importantly the study of attachment theory that took

place confirming, that the attachment of a primary caregiver with an infant plays a crucial role

throughout his or her life.

Emergence of Attachment Theory

In 1948, John Bowlby teamed up with James Robertson to study how children reacted

when separated from their parents in hospitals. Robertson, who had learned to closely observe

children during WWII with Ana Freud, made a film showing the emotional impact of these

separations, which helped improve hospital treatment for kids, despite initial resistance from

doctors.
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Mary Ainsworth joined Bowlby’s research team in 1950 and used Robertson's detailed

observation methods in her work. Around the same time, Bowlby wrote a report for the World

Health Organization, emphasizing that children need a warm and continuous relationship with a

primary caregiver to grow up mentally healthy. He also highlighted the importance of emotional

support from fathers.

Bowlby believed children bond with their parents because of emotional needs, not just

for food. His ideas were influenced by animal studies, like Konrad Lorenz’s research on

bonding, though some were unsure about applying these findings to humans. By 1956, Bowlby

and Ainsworth identified three types of child-mother relationships after separation: positive,

ambivalent, and indifferent, which laid the foundation for attachment theory.

Theory of Attachment

Attachment

Attachment is a close and emotional bonding of love and affection that develops between

the primary caregiver and an infant. An example of attachment is a bond between a mother and

her newborn baby. When the baby cries because they are hungry and uncomfortable, the mother

responds to them by feeding or comforting them, this interaction builds trust. So over time, the

baby learns that their mother is always there to meet their needs, and they feel safe and secure in

her presence. As a result, they show signs of attachment like smiling when she is near to them,

seeking her to comfort them, and showing distress when she leaves.
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The Theory of Attachment

The attachment theory in psychology looks at how important early emotional bonds are

for a person’s development. John Bowlby, the first attachment theorist, explained attachment as

a deep and lasting emotional connection between people. He believed that the bond between a

child and their caregiver, especially the mother, has a strong influence on the child's future well-

being.

Bowlby thought that this attachment keeps the child close to the caregiver, improving their

chances of survival. When kids are separated from their mothers, they may go through three

emotional stages:

1. Protest: The child shows strong distress when separated from their caregiver. They might

cry loudly or throw tantrums to try and get the caregiver to come back.

2. Despair: The child becomes quiet and withdrawn as if they are sad or grieving. They may

still cry, but it will be softer and less often.

3. Detachment: The child starts to seem better and shows more interest in what’s around

them. However, when the caregiver returns, the child may act like they don’t care or turn

away from them.

In the 1970s, Mary Ainsworth significantly built upon Bowlby's research. The concepts that

now shape attachment theory are the result of their combined efforts. They both were influenced

by Freud and other psychoanalytic thinkers.

Bowlby believed that being attached gave children comfort and protection, allowing them to do

what they needed. Ainsworth built on this idea, saying that feeling secure is the main benefit of
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attachment. According to attachment theory, humans have developed an attachment system that

is essential for survival. Bowlby thought that babies have a biological need for contact and love.

He believed many mental and behavioral problems come from early childhood experiences.

Babies are naturally programmed to smile and act cute to get emotional reactions from

their caregivers. Bowlby saw these attachment behaviors as instinctive and said they are

triggered by things like separation, insecurity, or fear. He also suggested that being afraid of

strangers helps with survival. Babies are born with certain behaviors, known as social releasers,

which help them stay close to their mother or primary caregiver. Bowlby’s idea was that both

babies and mothers have a natural, biological need to stay close to each other.

Stages of Attachment

Bowlby divided the formation of attachment into four stages all of which occur between birth

and 2 years of age. These four stages are as follows:

1. Pre-attachment stage

2. Attachment-in-the-making stage

3. Clear-cut attachment stage

4. Formation of reciprocal relationships stage

1. Pre-Attachment stage

At this stage, babies don’t prefer one person over another and aren’t afraid of strangers.

They use signals like crying, smiling, and holding on to attract attention from adults. The

closeness of an adult comforts the baby. Even though babies can recognize their mother’s
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smell, voice, and face, they aren’t strongly attached yet and don’t mind being around

unfamiliar people.

2. Attachment-in-the-making stage

During this stage, babies start to focus on certain people, usually their parents. They

respond differently to their caregiver compared to strangers. For example, a baby might

smile and babble more with the mother and feel calm when she picks them up. At this

point, babies begin to develop a sense of trust, expecting their caregiver to be there when

needed.

3. Clear-Cut-Attachment stage

At this point, babies form a clear bond with their primary caregiver. They may experience

separation anxiety, becoming upset when their trusted adult leaves. However, if the

caregiver is caring and supportive, this anxiety can be short-lived, and the baby feels more

secure.

4. Formation of reciprocal relationship stage

By around 2 years old, as toddlers' understanding and language skills improve, they start to

grasp the reasons why their caregiver comes and goes. This helps reduce separation

anxiety. Toddlers can now communicate with their caregivers, using requests or persuasion

to influence their caregiver’s actions. As they grow older, they feel more secure and depend

less on their caregiver, knowing that their caregiver will be there when needed.
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Styles of Attachment

Mary Ainsworth divided attachment styles into four types. Each style helps us to foresee how

an infant would interact with their primary caregiver. There may be individual differences

between the infants in the attachments they form. These four styles are as follows:

1. Secure Attachment style

2. Avoidant Attachment style

3. Ambivalent Attachment style

4. Disorganized Attachment style

1. Secure Attachment style

Babies with a secure attachment see their caregiver as a safe place to explore. They prefer

their caregiver and feel comforted when the caregiver is around and interested in exploring

the environment.

2. Avoidant Attachment style

Avoidant children keep their distance from the caregiver and show little interest in playing

or interacting. They don’t seem bothered or cry when the caregiver leaves and treat

strangers and caregivers similarly.

3. Ambivalent Attachment style

These babies are anxious and seek contact with their caregiver before they leave but also

show anger when the caregiver returns. Their mixed feelings might be because their
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caregiver’s attention has been unpredictable or inconsistent. And when their caregiver

returns, at first they seek her but later they reject the offers of comfort.

4. Disorganized Attachment style

Children with disorganized attachment show unusual behaviors like freezing or rocking.

They seem confused about how to connect with their caregiver, often due to experiences of

neglect or mistreatment. They have elements of both the avoidant as well as ambivalent.

As attachment is very crucial for babies, especially in the early years of life which can have

long-lasting effects in the long run. I read a study that used attachment theory to explore how

people seek support and give care in close relationships. It shows that attachment and caregiving

are connected, and attachment styles (secure, avoidant, or anxious/ambivalent) can affect how

people behave in love and at work. For example, those with anxious attachment might struggle

with work because they're focused on unmet emotional needs, which can hurt their job

performance. The study also found that attachment types can influence childhood relationships,

adult love, and work attitudes, highlighting the broad impact of attachment theory on different

areas of life (Hazan et al., 1990).

Impact on Lifespan Development

Long-term effects of Attachment on Social and Emotional outcomes

The way we attach to our caregivers as children can shape our relationships as adults.

While adult relationships may not mirror childhood attachments exactly, they are still influenced

by early experiences. People with a secure attachment style tend to handle emotions better. They
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remain optimistic during tough times and use good strategies to manage their feelings. In

contrast, those with insecure attachments often struggle to manage their emotions effectively.

Family Relationships

The attachment formed in childhood, especially the bond with the mother, plays a crucial

role in how children learn to regulate their emotions later in the family. Children often learn

about managing feelings by observing their parents. The emotional environment of a family,

including parenting styles and the overall emotional climate, greatly affects a child's ability to

regulate emotions. You will see the child interacting with his parents, siblings, and other

relatives with love and care because he is absorbed in his early years. He is giving back what he

absorbed from his primary caregiver.

Friendships

The Attachment also affects friendships. Those who manage their emotions well tend to

have more positive friendships and fewer conflicts. Since secure attachment promotes better

emotion regulation, it likely leads to higher-quality friendships.

Romantic relationships

Romantic relationships are among the most significant social bonds in life. They are

deeply affected by attachment styles because they involve closeness similar to that of mother-

child relationships. Research shows that individuals with secure attachments in childhood are

better at resolving conflicts in their romantic relationships and are generally more satisfied.
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Here is a study that crossed my eyes that stressed how crucial parenting is for helping young

children manage their emotions, which affects their social skills as they grow up. Their research

links early attachment relationships to emotional control and social behavior. However, the

direct effects of the attachment seem to fade as children get older, although early security can

still help through preschool experiences. The study found that having secure attachments with

both mothers and fathers supports children's emotional growth, but some effects are unique to

mother-child relationships. Overall, this research highlights how crucial early relationships are

for emotional and social development, showing that promoting secure attachments is essential

for healthy growth (Lea J. Boldt et al.,2020).

Conclusion

In a nutshell, early attachment between infants and caregivers is crucial in shaping

emotional regulation, social interactions, and overall psychological well-being throughout life.

Secure attachments foster resilience and healthier relationships, while insecure attachments can

lead to emotional and social challenges. Recognizing the importance of these early bonds can

guide efforts to promote emotional growth and relational skills in children.

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References

Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. R. (1990). Love and work: An attachment-theoretical

perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59(2), 270.

Boldt, L. J., Goffin, K. C., & Kochanska, G. (2020). The significance of early parent-child attachment for

emerging regulation: A longitudinal investigation of processes and mechanisms from toddler age to pre-

adolescence. Developmental psychology, 56(3), 431.