Personality Psychology and Attachment
Psychologists argue that the early relationships in an individual affect the way they relate with other people in their later years. The attachment theory specifically pays attention to the bond that exists between an infant and their caregiver at the early stages. The bond between a caregiver and the infant is responsible for later relationships and adult personality. The study of modern attachment has, however, gone through several changes with variations being introduced into the original Freud’s theory of developmental psychology.
Modern attachment theory introduces adjustment to the original attachment theory. Ancient psychologists had argued that attachment grows naturally between an infant and their caregiver and continues to impact their future relationships (Shaver & Mikulincer, 2005). However, the modern attachment theory was introduced by psychologists such as John Bowlby to counter the argument by Freud. Bowlby argued that attachment was impacted by other factors such that force the infant to need the caregiver. Generally, Bowlby aimed at countering that the infant to caregiver bond existed due to the needs of the infant. Ancient psychologists had argued that when a caregiver provides for the needs of the infant, the bond is created because the infant needs the caregiver for survival.
The theories of systems and evolutions were combined to come up with a modern approach to attachment. Generally, modern attachment has become more compelling and acceptable by people due to the combination of several theories to come up with a strong argument. The acceptance of attachment theory is associated with its application in real life. The stages of childhood development represent the various stages of the attachment theory, and thus, it gives authentic arguments.
In sum, the attachment theory is universally accepted with psychoanalysts playing a crucial role in the acceptability. The most applicable example of attachment theory is the bond that exists between an infant and caregiver. Generally, modern attachment theory is presented in stages that are affected by different factors.
References
Shaver, P. R., & Mikulincer, M. (2005). Attachment theory and research: Resurrection of the psychodynamic approach to personality. Journal of Research in Personality, 39(1), 22-45.