Bowlby, John (1907–90)

Howard Steele,

Howard Steele

The New School for Social Research, U.S.A.

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Howard Steele,

Howard Steele

The New School for Social Research, U.S.A.

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 23 January 2015

https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118625392.wbecp269

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Abstract

This entry focuses on the original writings of John Bowlby (1907–90) and Mary Ainsworth (1913–99) on attachment theory, and the wealth of developmental and clinical research supporting and elaborating the theory. Similarities and differences between attachment theory and classical psychoanalytic theory are reviewed in the context of showing the central emphasis Bowlby placed upon separation, loss, and trauma events, and the meaning attributed to these events, in shaping personality and demanding attention in clinical work. Receiving much attention in this entry is the Adult Attachment Interview, which aims to surprise the unconscious and challenges the adult speaker to demonstrate a capacity for coherent and reflective speech regarding past attachment experiences and their influence on the present, together with a valuing of attachment. These capacities are linked to competent, sensitive parenting and appear to be the sine qua non of mental health in adulthood.

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