John Bowlby's Psychodynamic Attachment Theory

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The psychodynamic approach sees the human function centred upon the interaction of drives and forces within the individual, predominantly the unconscious, and the different structures of the personality (Passer & Smith 2013, p. 430). Attachment theory maintains the psychodynamic influence of the importance of how early experiences influence personal development (Fitton 2012, p. 121).
Attachment theory is regarded as a major influence on psychological understanding and psychotherapy, and received attention from the social work field (Bennett & Nelson 2010, p. 17). This changed the understanding around the significance of close relationships, how relationships are developed, the maintenance of the relationships, and how these relationships are affected through …show more content…
Bowlby developed the basis of attachment theory, and this transformed the thought around a child’s bond to their mother, and how the disruption of separation, deprivation, and bereavement can have an influence on the bond (Bretherton 1992, p. 759). Mary Ainsworth, through Bowlby’s work, developed a methodology to test these thoughts through the ‘strange situation’ (Bretherton 1992, p. 759). Ainsworth developed a test, based on the work of Bowlby’s model of attachment called the ‘Strange Situation’ to investigate how attachments vary between children (Fairchild 2009, p. 287). Ainsworth developed the concept of the attachment figure as a secure base for the child, from which the child can explore their world, and when returned was welcomed by the caregiver (Bretherton 1992, p. 759; Connors 2011, p. 348). Through the test, Ainsworth identified three core attachment styles; secure, insecure avoidant, and insecure ambivalent/resistant (Bretherton 1992, p. 759). Ainsworth concluded that these attachments were the result of the early interactions with the mother. A fourth attachment known as insecure/disorganised was identified later
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