Attachment Theory

Attachment Theory: was developed by John Bowlby as a perspective on the secure base functions of close relationships that operate to promote child development, personality development, and affect regulation. Attachment is the deep and enduring connection established between child and a caregiver in the first several years of life that sets the stage for all future human relationships. Attachment relationships teach individuals how to be in relationship with significant others and influences all subsequent relationships through to adulthood.

(Source: Fitton, V. A. (2008). Attachment theory and mother-child relationships from a phenomenological perspective (Order No. 3331905). Available from Dissertations & Theses @ CIC Institutions; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Full Text; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (304577690). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/304577690?accountid=14667)

Apply: Community developers have to work with many people throughout their careers. It is important for community developers to keep in mind this theory because they may be able to understand more why a person they are working with has to have there best friend with them whenever they meet, or if they work with someone who is seems overly comfortable working with new people. Also, a community developer may find that a need in a community is child-care, so they must be knowledgable in the area of child development to understand what goes into creating an effective child-care program (or be knowledgeable enough to know to ask for help in this complex area).

Adapt: This theory is important for people who are in the discipline of secondary caregiving for young children. It is important for secondary caregivers of young children to know this theory in order to help prevent the children from having "bad" attachment later on in life. For instance, if a child does not show any affection towards his or her primary caregiver when he or she is dropping the child off or if the child does not cry, the secondary caregiver should be able to notice this and take necessary action.