Attachment Theory And Its Effects On Personality - 965 Words

CWID: 11390617 In interacting with people in my daily life, I often attribute an individual’s negative actions or attitudes to their innate personality. If someone is overly emotional or selfish, I, like many others, will initially believe that those traits are simply who they are as a person. What if this is untrue, and these individuals are simply a product of unhealthy attachment styles in their younger years? As I have continued to learn more about the subject of attachment theory, I am struck by the amount of influence a person’s younger years can have on their later psychological development. I was aware that childhood years were quite impactful on one’s future, but did not fully understand the specifics. This newfound knowledge†¦show more content†¦Over time, these occurrences caused me to view her as a needy, clingy â€Å"drama queen† who cared about nothing except her own problems. The relationship became exhausting as there was no give and take on her part, only take. At the time, I thought these traits were simply who she was wired to be. If I had known what I do now, I could have looked to her past to find some answers for these concerning behaviors. Molly grew up in a single parent household with her mother as the sole breadwinner. She had multiple jobs and was rarely home due to this. Additionally, Molly’s father was virtually nonexistent. This scenario is a perfect brewing ground for an insecure attachment style. I could easily imagine a situation where an infant Molly would only receive the attention and affection she desperately craved when she screamed and cried her hardest. Her mother was most likely exhausted in the small amount of time she was present, allowing her to fall short in creating the bond between mother and child. I cannot know these details for sure, of course, but attachment theory seems to perfectly explain Molly’s behavior as she grew older. She sought approval heavily from me or others, a nd could not find it within herself. She lacked basic emotional regulation and confidence. Sadly, my efforts to console her and boost her self-esteem would almost always prove pointless, causing me to feel constantly drained by theShow MoreRelatedAn Attachment Theoretical Framework For Personality Disorders1532 Words   |  7 PagesLiterature Review and Analysis In the article titled An Attachment Theoretical Framework for Personality Disorders explores how John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth’s attachment theory provides a coherent perception of â€Å"intrapsychic and interpersonal† (2013) aspects of personality disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder. Adverse attachment is often at the root of most antisocial personality disorders. This theoretical groundwork pairs breadth and parsimony to the conceptualization of BowlbyRead MoreChild Care Services1536 Words   |  7 PagesChild Care Services, that include first, custodial services concerning health, hygiene and safety of children, second, child development services covering socialization, language skill and personality development and third, pre-school services ranging from informal learning to formal educational preparatory learning from elementary schools, was appeared to be initiated in France in 1770 in the name of â€Å"Salles d’asile† (asylum room) for serving the interest of working women. Along with custodial servicesRead MoreThe Attachment Theory and Factors Damaging to Attachment1163 Words   |  5 PagesAttachment Theory Relationships are the building block for personality and are significant in children’s ability to grow into substantial individuals who can thrive in an often harsh world. Constructing lasting and fulfilling relationships is an integral part to development as the interpersonal bonds forged are not only highly sought after but also set the ground work for all upcoming expressive interactions. Relationships and attachment go hand in hand as attachment is the strong and lasting linkageRead MorePersonality Development of Children: Who Matters More?1681 Words   |  7 PagesPersonality development of children: Who Matters More? Judith Harris and John Bowlby The impact of parents on child development has been a major matter among developmental psychologists who have been trying to find a direct link between parental activities and the personality development of children. The nature vs. nurture debate remains vital and keeps the world of developmental and clinical psychology polarized for a long time now (Encyclopedia.com). There are various factors that affectRead MoreBeing the Child of a Parent with a Mental Illness1727 Words   |  7 Pageschild’s secure attachment and long-term mental health. Parental mental health concerns place children at a significantly greater risk of lower social, psychological and physical health than children in families not affected by mental illness. (Mayberry et al, 2005). Living with a parent suffering from a mental illness can have huge negative effects for the developing child. It has been proven numerous times that there is a genuine link between parental mental illness and its adverse effects for childrenRead MoreThe Relationship Between Essentialist And Contextualist Standpoints On Personality Continuity866 Words   |  4 PagesPersonality tends to refer to a unique, systemic amalgamation of characteristics and traits that define an individual (Mayer, 2007). However, contesting views on the specifics of this definition inform varied perspectives on the malleability or permanence of personality throughout life; while Mayer (2007) has further described personality as a ‘developing system’, others, such as Pervin, Cervone, John (2005), state that it must prescribe ‘consistent patterns’ in cognition and behaviour. The resultantRead MorePersonality Development By Mary D. Salter Ainsworth And John Bowlby1322 Words   |  6 PagesMain Idea Attachment, as defined by â€Å"Infants, Children, and Adolescents† is the strong emotional connection that develops between an infant and caregiver, which provides the infant with a sense of joy, comfort, and emotional security (Berk, 2012, p. 264). Between 6 to 12 months of age, infants typically have developed said strong emotional connection to familiar people who have responded to their need for comfort, care, and other needs. While many individuals might suggest that a baby’s emotionalRead MoreMary Ainsworth And Attachment : An Influential Psychologist1576 Words   |  7 PagesMary Ainsworth and Attachment Mary Ainsworth was an influential psychologist in the area of attachment. She had a great life and not only helped further other psychologists’ findings, but also made significant findings of her own. Historical Context The types of studies in the area of attachments before Mary Ainsworth were the works of Harry Harlow, John Bowlby, and William Blatz. Harry Harlow was born October 31st, 1905 in Iowa to a small farming community. He obtained his BA and PhD at StanfordRead MoreAttachment, Antisocial, And Antisocial Behavior1716 Words   |  7 PagesAttachment and Antisocial Behavior in Adolescents Secure early infant attachments are imperative to a person’s life because it assists in the development of empathy and emotional self-regulation. A healthy development of empathy and emotional self-regulation promotes prosocial behavior. Prosocial behavior is the deliberate action of helping and/or benefiting another person, group, or society in general without any thought of being rewarded. Securing an early infant attachment can develop an automaticRead MoreMonsters On The Brain : An Evolutionary Epistemology Of Horror Essay1455 Words   |  6 PagesAinsworth, Mary D. Bell, Silvia M. (1970) Attachment, exploration, and separation: Illustrated by the behavior of one-year-olds in a strange situation. Child Development, 41(1), pp. 49-67. Doi: 10.2307/1127388 Asma, S. T. (2014). Monsters on the brain: An evolutionary epistemology of horror. Social Research, 81(4), 941-968. Belsky, J., Steinberg, L., Draper, P. (1991). Childhood eExperience, iInterpersonal dDevelopment, and rReproductive sStrategy: An eEvolutionary tTheory of sSocialization