Attachment Theory

Attachment TheoryMahlerMahler set out the pioneering the task of conceptualizing childhood psychosis from a psychoanalytic viewpoint.Her method rested on observations of the interactions of mothers and their babies.Best described as a developmentalist b/c she and fellow researchers have used object relations concepts to focus on the psychological birth of the infant.MahlerKey concepts:SymbiosisSeparationIndividuationIdentity formationThree developmental phases:Normal autismNormal symbiosisSeparation and IndividuationMahlerNormal autismImage of a birds egg as a model of infants closed psychological system.First stage is objectless.Infant slowly realizes need satisfaction is not self-contained.Normal symbiosisThe shell begins to crackThe infant functions and behaves as though she and the mo. were an omnipotent system, a dual unity.MahlerNormal symbiosis cont.Shift from inside the body to the periphery.Infant gradually differentiates between pleasurable and good experiences and painful and bad experiences.3rd month is dew point for the crystallization of feeling of self, around which a sense of identity will be formed..Switch from biological to psychobiological.

MahlerSeparation and IndividuationTwo simultaneous paths of development.Individuation is characterized by evolving intrapsychic autonomy.Separation is characterized by psychological differentiation, distancing, and disengagement from the mo.In order to achieve these developmental milestones he needs the presence of, and the emotional availability of the mother.MahlerFour developmental subphases of individuation and separation:Differentiation and body imageAlso called hatchingPracticingCrawling and walking w/supportThe less satisfying or more parasitic the symbiotic phase, the more exaggerated will be the negativistic reaction, the declaration of independenceMahlerFour subphases cont.RapprochementIncreased sense of independence as well as dependencyRapprochement crisis: shadowing and dartingMaternal unavailability can result in energy depletion of the ego, reversion to earlier splitting mechanisms, while serious developmental arrest can result in pathological narciscissm and borderline phenomena.MahlerFourth subphase: Emotional object constancy and individuality,Emotional object constancy depends on a positive inner image of the mother that supplies comfort to infant in her absence.Differs from Piaget (inanimate object)Unfolding of complex cognitive functions, and verbal communication.Superego precursors begin to develop.Attachment TheoryJohn Bowlby, Deborah AinsworthAttachment theory is a reaction against object relations theory and practiceSecure emotional attachment between persons is basic to human health across the lifespanAttachment theory is powerful tool in conducting marital therapy (EFT)

Attachment TheoryJohn Bowlbytrained with Melanie Kleinwas a child psychiatristimpressed by the impact of real events on personality formationhis theory of attachment was developed from observations in the field, clinic, and experimental situationsAttachment TheoryBowlby asserts that the initial tie of child to mother is not concerned with foodchild is seeking emotional attachmentHe asks What is the nature of the tie that when it is ruptured it leads to problematic reactions?answer is based on experimental researchAttachment TheoryField observationmother is secure base for child to explore fromabout 3 movements away and back from mother in a 10 minute spanIf a child is anxious, he or she will not explore the environmentsecurely attached children explore worldAttachment TheoryIf mother fails to respond to child upon return, child will not further explore

The need for a secure base, from which to explore, is needed all of our livesa home to go back toif home or attachment figure is in danger one will not be emotionally presentAttachment TheoryHow we start we tend to go onthe pattern of attachment formed by 12 months is generally present at age 5this can change if a responsive presence is available (cure in therapy)usually stays the same because a depressed or anxious mother keeps same style of relating in playDevelopmental tilt (Mitchell)dont neglect what happens later in lifeAttachment TheoryWhy keep proximity to mother?in aid of safetya good companion who will care for you in an emergencypersons jumping together on 9/11A good mother (or caregiver) will be available, accessible, and responsiveconsistent enough in these responsesAttachment TheoryAnxiety is not about danger, it is about the risks of dangerthe risk of losing attachment tie (separation)risk of coming danger is greater if alone rather than not aloneThree attachment styles based on Ainsworth: field studies, home, and labAttachment Theory3 attachment styles

securely attached

anxiously ambivalently attached

anxiously avoidantly attachedAttachment TheorySecurely attached

child will explore the worldif mother leaves, childs activity will be organizedwill welcome mother upon return and is comfortedwill return to play againAttachment TheoryAnxiously ambivalently attached

child doesnt explore surroundwill collapse and do nothing if mother disappearsis ambivalent about mothers returnwants to be comforted by her and doesnt want to be comforted by herAttachment TheoryAnxious avoidantly attached

child will not explore but doesnt seem to draw comfort from presence of motherwill do nothing when she re-enters roomthis is really sadwill turn away from her if she tries to connectAttachment TheoryThese results correlated with the previous 12 month observations at homesSome mothers failed to recognize a child was cryingAttachment styles are a property of the mother/child pair: intersubjective systemstyle may be different with father or othersAttachment TheoryDevelopmental pathwaysphasal development was standard in psychoanalysisFreud psychosexual stages, Kleins schizoid - depressive positions, Mahlers stages of autism, symbiosis, separation etc.whats normal at a young age is pathological at a later agepersons regress to earlier stage (pen-chewing)Attachment TheoryThere is no autistic phaseThere is no manic/depressive phasePhasal developmental theories are wrong!!!these theories dont fit the factsDevelopmental pathways for psychological development parallel biological development

Attachment TheoryAll of us are born with a great array of developmental pathwaysmany routes to mental healthTwo main patterns of deviationanxiously ambivalenttakes individual off courseanxiously avoidantleads to depressive and anxious statescan become narcissisticallergic to relationships or gets trappedAttachment TheoryTemperamenttemperament studies are rubbishno way to measure infant temperamentno correlation between 1st week of life to attachment at 12 monthstemperament is used to explain vagueriesI would add that dispositions are fluid or dependent on intersubjective fieldmother/infant dyadAttachment TheoryRepresentational models and interpersonal relationshipsworking models ofmotherfatherself

these are cognitive models and are usually unconsciousexpect to be treated this old way by new attachment figuresAttachment TheoryRepresentational models are result of actual experiences - not fantasy as in Freud and KleinThese models tend to perseveratepatient may have more than one model of himself or otherssome theorists try to change modelsothers try to add on new modelsAttachment TheoryBowlby believes that through representational models we can link cognitive psychology with psychoanalysis

In other words we can uncover the sources of cognitive processing if we use representational modelsAttachment TheoryPatients bring a sense of unlovability and a set of expectations about how they will be treated to therapy

Goal of therapy is to help patient explore him or herself in a way he or she would never dare do beforeprocess is too painfulprocess is too perplexingAttachment TheoryAnother goal in therapy is to try to provide a secure base from which the patient can exploreWe can intend this to be a growth-producing experience but it may be a mismatch with patients expectationsabout to be kicked out of therapydont try to disabuse patient of perceptions but explore experience and its sourcesAttachment TheoryWe are dependent on what the patient tells ushow reliable is this?partial omissions?out of balance?Most patients tell a bit of the truthtrust that patients are telling you in the best way they can what their experience has beendont be entrapped by facticityAttachment TheoryIn Bowlbys research he found that 30% of mothers used threats of abandonment of child to try to get wanted behaviorInquire about this with patientPatient is better off recognizing truth that mother didnt want him than notHelp patient discover truth but dont overdo interpretationAttachment TheoryBowlby claims Mahlers symbiosis is a cloakWhat kind of attachment is it?Stranger/familiar figure is left out of all psychoanalytic theorizingWere attached to our modelsSuicide is a pull to keep others closeAttachment TheoryTape 2 Clinical applicationGoals are to cognitively and emotionally rediscover the pastThis must be achieved before patients can disentangle the old and the newAs long as history is hidden from ourselves were likely to see present and future in terms of the pastAttachment TheoryReasons why persons dont look at hx:too painful to acknowledgeban on doing so from parentsindividuals perceptions have been disqualified

Memory and feeling are shut awayAttachment TheoryWhy persons dont feel their feelings:unacknowledged in pastdisqualified in the pastinvalidated in the pastshamed for having disruptive, or any, feelingsResults in creation of a false selfAttachment TheoryIn terms of genetic factors - eating, sex - Bowlby claims attachment takes precedence over both

We dont know why some persons are born more sensitive than others

Finally, real life experiences count: You cant come to terms with a mirage