John Bowlby's Theory
Evolutionary Theory! By: Aluel Riak
What year did John Bowlby present his theory?
1969 - 1988 He presented his Evolutionary Theory
What was Bowlby's Theory?
John Bowlby was a psychoanalyst and he believed that the mental health and behavioral problems could be attributed to early childhood. Bowlby's evolutionary theory of attachment said that kids come into the world biologically pre-programmed to " Form attachments with others this will help them survive"(Bowlby).
What type of Research did Bowlby use?
Johns theory was the child behaves in ways that elicits contact to the caregiver. When a child experiences arousals, the child signals their caregiver. For example crying, smiling, and locomotion (behavioral signals). And then After the caregiver Responds to their children's behavior creating a reciprocal pattern of Interaction.
in 1969 he studied mother infant interactions and concluded infant smiling, babbling crying and cooing.
John Bowlby's Attachment theory
John Bowlby created his attachment theory he belived that children are biologically predisposed to develop attachments to caregivers as the result of genetics. in 1969 he studied mother infant interactions and concluded infant smiling, babbling crying and cooing.
Stage 1: Pre-attachment (Birth to 6 weeks)
Built in signals, such as crying and cooing, bring a newborn
baby into close proximity with their caregiver. Babies can recognize a caretakers smell and voice and are comforted by these things. When the caretaker picks up the baby or smiles at her, the beginning of attachment are forming.
Step 2: Attachment-in-the making (6 weeks to 8 months)
The Attachment to the mother and child is getting stronger through the stages, and infants respond differently to familiar people than they do to Strangers. For example; a 5 - month- old baby will be more "talkative" with his mother rather than with an uncle he sees only one a month.
Stage 3: Clear-cut attachment (8 months to 18 months)
Attachment to trusted caregivers continues to strengthen in this stage, and separation anxiety is likely in a caregiver's absence. Toddlers generally want to be with their caregiver at all times, and they will follow the caretaker, climb on them, or otherwise do things to keep the caregivers attentions.
Step 4: Formation of reciprocal attachment (18 months to 2 years)
Language growth starts to begin more rapidly and understanding new concepts. Children begin to understand a parents comings and goings. for example, children can now understand that a parent returns home from work at a certain time each day. Parents can help a child form secure attachment by explaining things to them, by being present as much as possible, and by continuing to meet basic needs.
How do we see this theory used today?
Whenever there is a child that is crying and yelling around strangers but they are calm around they're comfortable caregiver they are showing signs of johns stages. These Attachments are being used everyday by children.
John Bowlby Attachment and Loss