During a long period of time psychologists were actively engaged in developing theories that can be now addressed as attachment theory; however, Bowlby became the one who was able to state it in a profound way. The theory assumes that there exist strong emotional bonds among people (addressed as attachments) which may cause particular standards of behavior. This theory has a row of application spheres with their creators and purposes that may be in general characterized as child care, children’s clinical psychology, and adult clinical psychology.
The main postulate of attachment theory is that there exists “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings” which may be defined as attachments (Bowlby, 1969, p. 194). Such attachments may affect people from their childhood till their adulthood. Bowlby argues that “the propensity to make strong emotional bonds to particular individuals [is] a basic component of human nature” (1988, 3). The assumptions of this theory may be successfully applied in practice in a row of spheres including child care, children’s clinical psychology, and adult clinical psychology.
Speaking about the theory application in child care, it is important to state that it emphasizes the importance of close and warm relationships between children and their parents especially in the earliest period of a child’s life for his or her strong mental health (Bretherton 1992). Numerous researches indicate that in the initial stage of forming the psychological nature of any child it is very important to provide all the possible grounds for a close connection between children and their parents (McLeod 2009). This strategy has been proven as the main success factor for the person’s future integration into society as a decent member.
Further, attachment theory can be applied in children’s clinical psychology as the main scientific approach to socioemotional development (McLeod 2009). However, there exist certain difficulties with its application in this area as when Bowlby was developing this theory he did not consider this theory to have a broad implementation in clinical practice (Bowlby 1969).
There is also an application of this theory in adult clinical psychology and family clinical practice which can be described as the explanation of the reasons for a particular approach to treating patients with certain psychological disorders (Bretherton 1992). The theory explains the nature of disorders in particular individuals’ behavior and gives practical recommendations concerning relevant therapy in such cases (McLeod 2009).
Attachment theories are also applied in numerous cultures; namely, statements similar to attachment theory exist in numerous ancient cultures which emphasize the importance of strong bonds between parent and their children necessary for their mental health and offer successful physiological therapy strategies of overcoming the consequences of psychological traumas by means of help from the bottom of the person who can be named as the source of attachment in any particular case (McLeod 2009).
Concluding on the information related above, it should be stated that attachment theory has a row of application spheres including child care, children’s clinical psychology, and adult and family clinical psychology. Namely, the theory emphasizes the importance of close and warm relationships between children and their parents. In addition, attachment theory can be applied in children’s clinical psychology as the main scientific approach to socioemotional development. Finally, the findings of this theory can be successfully applied into practice in psychological therapy for adults and families.
References
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss, Vol. 1: Attachment. New York: Basic Books.
Bretherton, I. (1992). The Origins of Attachment Theory: John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. Developmental Psychology, 28, 759-775.
McLeod, S. (2009). Attachment Theory.