Ask AI: What is attachment (Bowlby)

John Bowlby's Attachment Theory is a psychological model that explains the nature of emotional attachment between people. It is proposed that everyone has an innate need to form strong and lasting bonds with others and that these bonds provide us with a sense of security, safety and well-being. Bowlby proposed that children are born with the instinct to form attachments with a strong preference for one primary caregiver. This bond is formed through a series of behaviours such as clinging, seeking proximity, and crying when separated. If a secure attachment is formed, then the child will have a healthy sense of trust and confidence which allows him or her to explore the world, to form relationships with others, and to develop emotionally. If an insecure attachment is formed, then the child may be more prone to negative behaviours such as anxiety, aggression, or depression.