Major Contributions, Awards, and Honors
Bowlby is best known for his studies on Maternal deprivation and his work with Ainsworth on the Attachment Theory. (http://isss.org/world/the-work-of-john-bowlby). Bowlby researched attachment and loss and studied the effects of loss on the development of children. This led to his two books, "Maternal Care and Mental Health" and "Attachment and Loss". Bowlby focused much of his attention on maladjusted children and began to further explore issues relating to these children while at the Child Guidance Clinic in London. The vast number of children who were separated from family members during the war peaked Bowlby’s interest. He developed a special interest in evacuees and orphans and examined the work of Anna Freud, Rene Spitz, and Dorothy Burlingham in particular. In his early 40’s, Bowlby had developed his own theories on attachment and child development from his many years of experience, research, and observation.
Bowlby's Attachment Theory
Bowlby compiled a trilogy on his attachment theory, which described the core components of the theory. Bowlby theorized that attachment begins in infancy through a bond between the child and the most present, attentive caregiver. The parental interaction forms the basis of the internal working models for the child, which lead their expectations, thoughts, and feelings in subsequent relationships. Bowlby believed that a functional and safe relationship with a parent or caregiver was necessary to the healthy psychological development of the child. (http://www.psychology.sunysb.edu/attachment/online/inge_origins.pdf)
His trilogy:
1. Children between 6 to 30 months form strong bonds with caregivers if the caregivers are receptive and sensitive to communication
2. Attachment can be seen in how close a child wants to be to its caregiver, and how they use the caregiver as a secure base to come back to after exploration.
3. The formation of early relationships provides a foundation for mental development later on in life.
His trilogy:
1. Children between 6 to 30 months form strong bonds with caregivers if the caregivers are receptive and sensitive to communication
2. Attachment can be seen in how close a child wants to be to its caregiver, and how they use the caregiver as a secure base to come back to after exploration.
3. The formation of early relationships provides a foundation for mental development later on in life.