Attachment Theory: Four Attachment Styles

In the first chapter on attachment theory, I explained the four characteristic of attachment: safe haven, separation distress, secure proximity maintenance and safe base. Based on how well the caregiver meets each characteristic, the baby and his/her caregiver will form a different attachment style.

In a famous experiment titled the “Stranger situation” psychologists Mary Aninsworth (expanding on work done by Bowlby) observed children between the age of 12 to 18 months. She was interested in their response at being left alone and then reunited with their mothers.

The results led her to 3 major attachment styles. In 1986, researchers Main and Solomon added a fourth attachment style. A number of studies since then have confirmed that the attachment style that develops in a child’s early years of life will impact their future relationships and connections with other human beings for years to come.

The four attachment styles are: secure, ambivalent, avoidant and disorganized.

Secure Attachment Style

Secure attachment is the one more desired. In a stranger situation, a baby with a secure attachment is happy when the parent is around, he is sad and upset when they leave but is very happy to when they come back. The baby is soothed by the parent’s presence.

As they grow, kids with a secure attachment will be able to seek help and comfort when they feel scared. These children meet the first two levels of emotional intelligence, they are able to recognize their own feelings (I am scared, sad, afraid, under threat) and manage it (by asking for help). They have the confidence to ask for help and the confidence that help will come. This confidence makes them feel secure in the world around them and also in their future relationships.

Ambivalent Attachment Style

A child with this style of attachment becomes extremely upset when the caregiver leaves but when they return, the child becomes very aggressive towards them. A child in this kind of relationship feels they cannot trust their parent/caregiver in situations of fear and danger.

Research suggests that this style develops if the parents is inconsistent in their availability to fulfill the baby’s needs. Such behavior will make the child feel angry and stressed when separated from the caregiver, with no way to comfort themselves.

Avoidant Attachment Style

This style develops when the parent consistently ignores the child’s needs or punishes the child for expressing their needs. The child learns that their needs are not met by the caregiver and will therefore avoid them. In the stranger situation, an avoidant baby will not show distress when the caregiver’s exit and on their return, the baby will ignore them.

Babies with avoidant attachment show no preference for their caregiver over a complete stranger. These children learn that their needs go unmet, so they suppress their need and avoid seeking help.

Disorganized Attachment Style

Disorganized attachment is when there is no clear attachment style. In a stranger situation the child will seem confused on the caregiver’s return, sometimes aggressiveness and sometimes avoidant. These kids can seem disoriented and confused. Research suggests this is a result of inconsistent behavior by the main caregivers. The parent is a source of comfort but also a source of fear at the same time.

Join me in the next chapter for reasons for insecure attachments.

Until then, happy and secure parenting,
Ronit