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Attachment Theory

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  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine

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Definition

Bowlby (1969, 1988) described an attachment as an emotional bond that is characterized by the tendency to seek out and maintain proximity to a specific attachment figure, particularly during times of distress.

Description

Overview of Attachment Theory

Normative processes. Bowlby’s attachment theory (e.g., Bowlby 1969, 1988) suggests that humans’ most intimate relationship partners serve important functions related to distress alleviation. More specifically, he theorized that people rely on their primary caregivers, or attachment figures, for feelings of comfort and security, especially during times of distress. According to Bowlby, the attachment system evolved in order to keep vulnerable human infants within close proximity to their caregivers. Normatively, when an infant experiences distress, the attachment system will be activated. The infant will then signal its distress to the caregiver who will respond in an appropriate manner and the infant’s distress will be...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Angela M. Hicks

  2. The Neurobehavioral Clinic and Counseling Center, Lake Forest, CA, USA

    Carolyn Korbel

Authors
  1. Angela M. Hicks
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  2. Carolyn Korbel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Angela M. Hicks .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    Marc D. Gellman

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Hicks, A.M., Korbel, C. (2020). Attachment Theory. In: Gellman, M.D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_939

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_939

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-39901-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-39903-0

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