# Attachment Theory --- **Attachment theory** is a concept in [[psychology]] that describes the connection between one person and another—especially that between a parent and their child (which is the type of attachment that will be considered in this note). Attachment patterns formed in infancy (and even before birth) affect that person for their *whole life*, although it is not necessarily set in stone and *can* be altered. **Attachment is ubiquitous in humans**, and although the specifics vary by culture and individual, developmentalists are convinced it is a *basic survival mechanism* for humans. Attachment can be **secure**, **insecure** or **disorganized**. This can be understood as being on two continuums, one of **avoidance** and one of **anxiety**, as visualized below: ![[attachment continuums.png]] ## Secure Attachment **Secure attachment** is (fortunatly) the most common, and is indicated by a child that is able to seperate from their caregiver, but who prefers them to strangers. These children are comfortable and confident, and can use their caregivers as a "base" of exploration, which allows them to explore their envornment freely when their caregiver is there. If the caregiver leaves the child is upset, and when the caregiver comes back the child is happy. Later in life securely attached children have supportive relationships and a positive self-concept. **Attachment behaviors** are behaviors that indicate an infant has developed a secure attachment. **Synchrony** is a phenomenon that babies and caregivers naturally do all over the world. It begins at about 3 months and involves a smooth, coordinated exchange of animated expressions and actions that happen with remarkable coordination. Developing synchrony is essential to the development of babies. By 6 months infants are clearly upset if their caregivers are unresponsive, including crying, flailing and vocalizing. **Separation anxiety** is normal by age 1, and generally intensifies until age 2 when it starts to subside. **Stranger wariness** is also normal at this time. If these behaviors persist after 3 years, to the point where it is disruptive to their lives, they become [[psychological disorders|emotional disorders]]. **Social referencing** is something that we all do, but is first evident when toddlers start walking, and look for help for how to navigate new situations by looking towards their adult. An example is watching how adults eat new foods to see how they react, and then mimic that. ## Insecure Attachment **Insecure attachment** is divided up into two types: **avoidant** and **resistant/ambivalent** attachment. **Insecure-avoidant attachment** is when an infant really avoids their caregiver, and doesn't react or seem to care when the caregiver leaves or comes back. These individuals tend to be loners or aloof in their personal relationships as adults. **Insecure-resistant/ambivalent attachment** is characterized by an infant that becomes *very* upset when a caregiver leaves, and both resists and seeks contact when they come back. In adulthood they have angry, stormy or unpredictable relationships, and have few long-term friends. >[!abstract] Abuse or neglect >**Childhood abuse** is a predictor for resistant/ambivilant or disorganized attachement, while **childhood neglect** is a predictor for avoidant attachment. ## Disorganized Attachment **Disorganized attachment** is (fortunately) the least common type, and the most concerning. It's characterized by inconsistent reactions when a caregiver leaves or returns. This type of adult demonstrates odd and erratic behavior, and it's a risk factor for serious [[psychological disorders]]. Researchers refer to avoidant attachment as **type A**, secure attachment as **type B**, resistant/ambivalent attachment as **type C** and disorganized attachment as **type D** ## The Strange Situation The **Strange Situation** is a standardized lab procedure that can be used to observe the interactions of the parents and their children. It is set up in a well-equipped playroom and has the parent or other, unknown adult perform a set-series of actions, such as entering and and leaving the room. Researchers are trained to look for specific behaviors in the child. ## Children Without and Attachment Figure Seeking comfort for distress is a learned behavior. Children who are neglected can end up not attaching to anyone, and do not realize that an adult can make them feel better. There is a [[teratogen|sensitive period]] of the first 24 months when a child can form a health attachment relationship with a caregiver. [[evolution|Evolutionarily]] children form attachments with a small group of adults, so that they know who to seek help from. Unattached children see threats everywhere, which is seen in brain studies. They have high levels of [[glucocorticoids|cortisol]] and [[catecholamines|epinephrine and norepinephrine]], and their [[amygdala]] is overactive. ___