Early Infant Attachment And Subsequent Development

Analyze the research on early infant attachment and subsequent development. The infant-caregiver relationship is vastly important to the proper and healthy development of an infant and throughout the duration of the infant’s life. However, the types of relationships attained through attachments as well as socialization goals vary across cultures (Gross, 2011).Secure infant attachments are however, extremely important to overall healthy psychosocial development and prosocial behavior and can be analyzed through various important and contributing theories established by Erik Erikson, John Bowlby, and Mary Ainsworth. Developmental attachment is considered to be the strong, shared and enduring emotional bond between an infant and the†¦show more content†¦John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth were also two influential individuals who were interested in the phenomena of attachment. The attachment theory was the collaborative work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth who were influenced by the psychodynamic school of thought. They believed that early in life, strong bonds are usually formed to their caregivers, and the quality of those attachments determines the expectations one will maintain on one’s self and others (Nolan-Hoeksema, 2007). Both Bowlby and Ainsworth believed that there are several different forms of attachment in early development, however, the two main types are secure and insecure attachments (Gross, 2011). Children who form secure attachments tend to be more confident that their caregivers will be there when they need them (Nolan-Hoeksema, 2007). This confidence facilitates the courage to explore their environment, returning to their caregivers when needing comfort or care (Nolan-Hoeksema, 2007). As children continue to develop, they will go on to expect that their other relationships will be secure, thus seeking out positive, strong relationships with others (Nolan-Hoeksema, 2007). Conversely, infants who form insecure attachments may display erratic and negative behaviors which my ultimately affect their social development later on in childhood (Gross). Infants who have insecure attachments, can become anxious and ambivalent and do not have confidence in their caregivers,Show MoreRelatedChildhood Development And Childhood Stages1633 Words   |  7 PagesChildhood, is a period characterised by significant cognitive, emotional, social and biological development. This discussion will consider the significant aspects of childhood development and experiences that contribute to children’s longer-term well-being, however, its primary focus will be socio-emotional development. Longer-term well-being refers to physical, social and emotional health over a continuous period of time. 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