attachment theory
Caregiver bond science
Attachment theory is a psychological framework describing how early bonds between infants and caregivers shape emotional development and relationships throughout life.
The theory identifies attachment styles—secure, anxious, avoidant—formed in childhood that influence adult intimacy patterns: Her therapist suggested her avoidant attachment style explained her pattern of pushing partners away.
Deep personal connections
- interdependenceReciprocal reliance between entities
- trustConfidence in another
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- dependencyState of needing support
separation anxiety · couple dynamics · deactivation · hyperactivation
Ordered periods of maturation
- infancyEarliest period of life
- early childhoodFirst years of life
- critical periodOptimal developmental timeframe
- sensitive periodPeak developmental receptivity phase
maturation · cognitive development · emotional regulation · identity formation · self-concept · autonomy · resilience · socialization
Affective connection between people
- safe havenProtected place of shelter
- secure baseReliable attachment figure
- pair bondingEnduring mate attachment
- emotional securityFeeling reliably cared for
Harmonious receptive connection
- emotional availabilityReceptiveness to others' feelings
- co-parentingJoint child-rearing by separated adults
- primary caregiverMain person providing care
- repairRestore to working order
Protected from harm
- avoidantInclined to evade
- disorganizedLacking systematic arrangement
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- categoricalUnconditional and explicit
intimate relationships
Deep personal connections
- interdependenceReciprocal reliance between entities
- trustConfidence in another
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
dependency · separation anxiety · couple dynamics · deactivation · hyperactivation
developmental stages
Ordered periods of maturation
- infancyEarliest period of life
- early childhoodFirst years of life
- critical periodOptimal developmental timeframe
sensitive period · maturation · cognitive development · emotional regulation · identity formation · self-concept · autonomy · resilience · socialization · individuation
emotional tie
Affective connection between people
- safe havenProtected place of shelter
- secure baseReliable attachment figure
- pair bondingEnduring mate attachment
emotional security · attunement · availability · responsiveness
attunement
Harmonious receptive connection
- emotional availabilityReceptiveness to others' feelings
- co-parentingJoint child-rearing by separated adults
- primary caregiverMain person providing care
secure
Protected from harm
- avoidantInclined to evade
- disorganizedLacking systematic arrangement
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- developmentgrowth, progress, advancement, expansion, improvement
- child developmentbaby, toddler, newborn, infancy, milestones
- mental healthpsychiatry, psychotherapy, mental illness, psychiatrist, therapist
- psychologypsychology, psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, clinical psychology
- social developmentsocialization, social skills, friendship, social behavior, belonging
- psychoanalysisFreud, id, ego, unconscious, Sigmund Freud
attachment theorybehaviorism
Psychology studying observable conduct
attachment theorygenetic determinism
Heredity alone shapes traits
behavioral genetics · nativism · evolutionary psychology · sociobiology · tabula rasa
attach, theory, attached, detach, detached, attachment, detachment, unattached, theories