Attachment theory

Attachment theory explains how bonds with caregivers help organize a child’s sense of safety and influence emotional and social relationships across life.

Attachment behavior: Actions that seek or maintain closeness to a protective person, especially under stress. Proximity-seeking is the behavioral system the theory uses to explain caregiver bonds.
Attachment system: A behavioral system that promotes proximity to protective figures when danger, distress, or fatigue is present. It explains why distress can trigger efforts to regain caregiver closeness.
John Bowlby: A British psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who developed attachment theory. Bowlby integrated clinical observations with evolutionary and developmental ideas.
Secure attachment: An attachment pattern marked by confidence in a caregiver’s availability and effective use of support. It is the pattern most directly associated with a dependable, responsive caregiving relationship.
Attachment-based therapy: Psychotherapy approaches that use attachment ideas to address distress and relationship difficulties. These approaches apply attachment concepts to present emotional and interpersonal problems.
Secure base: A trusted person whose availability supports exploration and provides reassurance. Caregivers can enable exploration by serving as a dependable point of safety.
Caregiver sensitivity: A caregiver’s ability to notice a child’s signals and respond promptly and appropriately. Sensitive responses can help a child learn that support is available.
Mary Ainsworth: A developmental psychologist who studied infant–caregiver relationships and developed the Strange Situation procedure. Ainsworth supplied influential observational methods and evidence for attachment patterns.
Avoidant attachment: An infant attachment pattern involving limited visible distress and reduced contact-seeking after reunion with a caregiver. It contrasts with secure attachment in how reunion behavior is expressed.
Circle of Security: A relationship-based parenting program that helps caregivers recognize and respond to children’s attachment needs. It translates secure-base and safe-h haven ideas into caregiver guidance.

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