Attachment Style
Ginn026
7.SOW6106module521.pptxAttachment Theory
The Science of Love
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But first – let’s discuss last week
Mammals need to be attached; this need to be attached can lead to stress
When we are separated from attachments anxiety, stress
Take the “Change in life stress scale”:
As we learned and discussed last week– ma
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Internal working model of self, anxiety, and CBT
How does Cognitive Behavior Therapy fit into attachment theory?
Optional – watch the following video on CBT by Dr. Courtney Beard
Click on the link below “Turning Fear into Power ff to 1 hour
Think about…
What are the four steps
After learning a bit about CBT, how do you think attachment theory can be related to CBT?
So we know attachments can cause anxiety..what can we do about anxiety? Who has heard of CBT?
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CBT and attachment theory
In what ways is CBT related to attachment theory?
CBT for the “internal working model of self” AKA “story we tell ourselves” associated with attachment theory
Steps of CBT…what is the first step?
Awareness
What are your thoughts of online psychotherapeutic interventions. Think about the example displayed in the seminar…pros and cons..
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Attachment Theory (2)
Attachment:
Bond between caregiver and child
Affective state that arises reciprocally between individuals
Attachment is life or death for babies they need someone to care for them!
Babies are hardwired to attach to individuals (for protection); will attach even to abusive caregivers.
Potential implications for nonconsciousness seeking out of abusive relationships in adulthood.
Affective state that arises reciprocally between individuals
Texts will often say “mother” but mother can be any caregiver!
“Does not matter who does the nurturing but that the nurturing is done.”
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Attachment Theory (3)
When we think of attachment theory it centers on the relationship between the child and primary caregiver in early life.
John Bowlby “father of attachment theory
sent to boarding school early on, “poor” attachment with his mother
Mary Ainsworth -> Bowlby’s colleague expanded on attachment theory
Poverty and violence impact attachment
Attachment =Parent attunement with child; child feels “felt”
“The ability to regulate affect (consider this on a continuum not an all or nothing) depends on the security of the base of the early attachment figures. Insecure attachment can take the form of anxious, disorganized, or avoidant patterns.” (Fishbane, p. 401).
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Attachment Theory
In essence how do we take this material and apply it to our work as social workers?
Key points: Assess attachment histories of clients/observe attachment patterns/observe their attachment to you as well as yours to them.
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Attachment Theory (4)
When children have access to an available and responsive caring adult they have a secure base from which to explore the world and a safe haven to return to in times of danger or distress. Proximity to nurturing others =
Security
Exploration (secure base)
Brain systems involved in attachment
Sound – parent/caregiver’s voice; baby’s cry
Sight – parent/caregiver’s face; eye-gazing (reflexive); mirroring
Smell – parent/caregiver’s/baby’s scent
Touch – oxytocin, endorphins
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Attachment Theory (5)
Essentially stored memories from how the primary caregiver responded to the child’s attempts to feel safe develop into “what can I expect from others? How deserving am I of love?” This becomes a lens with which the person sees the world/foundation for their personality.
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Results of positive interaction
Affect regulation
Enjoyment of being inside self
Relationships with others
Management of day-to-day stressors
Attachment style
Trust, exploration, imagination/creativity (Erikson)
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Attachment figures
Primary attachment figure is the child’s primary caregiver (provide security)
But, others can be attachment figures, not just primary caregivers:
Dual primary caregivers (ideal because can provide security AND exploration)
Others (grandparents, siblings, teachers, mentors, therapists, God, church, religious figures, romantic partners)
Modeling of effective loving and soothing strategies
Importance of small community of caregivers: the more the merrier!
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Internal working model of self (IWM)
IWM-> internal thoughts & core beliefs on what to expect of others and myself
Sense of lovability and social value/acceptance:
I am as I am treated
IWM foundation laid out in first 2 years of life, but changing circumstances can change the IWM
The longer a IWM is in place, the more resistant to change it becomes
Resistant to change
Implicit (unconscious) – we often have to go to therapy/self exploration to realize what our internal working model of self is.
What is your IWM?
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Attachment and Affect Regulation
Attachment as a regulatory theory
Caregiver “regulates” baby’s level of arousal moment by moment, allowing baby to develop self-regulatory behaviors.
Babies need jus the “right” amount of stimulation, safe and calm environments
Too little stimulation->neglect/ hinders brain growth
Too much stimulation-> associated with brain damage
Attachment and Affect Regulation, cont’d
Early interactions with caregiver can inform the “Internal Working Model of Self”
At two months-babies begin to engage in playful interactions with caregiver
Attuned/”good enough” caregiving -> caregiver engages, but knows when baby needs a break (baby might look away)
Babies experience high levels of positive affect in reaction to caregiver’s interactions
Pleasurable feelings for baby and caregiver bond
When excitement too much for babies and caregiver allows the baby to calm themselves by withdrawing, babies learn mom reacts to certain social cues and that they can count on them to respond appropriately
This can later translate to “I can count on other people” and the basis for the internal working model of self
Experience
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Our experience [with our caretakers] alters, even distorts, the lens through which we see the world, and the choices we make are based on that altered vision. At birth, each of us is handed a lens by our family of origin, our culture . . ., through which to see the world. As it is the only lens we have ever known, we will presume to see reality directly even as we are seeing it colored and distorted. . . . we do not even know that we do not know, and what we do not know will often make [our] choices for us. (p.45)
Hollis, J. (2010). What matters most: Living a more considered life. New York: Gotham Books
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Attachment styles – what are they?
There are 4 styles we will review in a moment.
Think of attachment styles as our deepest expectations for home, nurturance, protection
“systematic patterns of expectations, needs, emotions, emotion-regulation strategies, and social behavior that result from the interaction of an innate attachment behavioral system and a particular history of attachment experiences, usually beginning in relationships with parents.” Shaver & Mikulincer (2002, p.134)
The brain acts as an anticipation machine
“How do I have to be so that I can be with you?”
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Attachment styles
View Mary Ainsworth’s research on the “strange situation.”
Strange situation research(watch Youtube video) Strange Situation Research
There are 4 attachment styles
1 secure attachment style -> Secure
3 insecure attachment styles -> Anxious/ambivalent, Avoidant, Disorganized/Disoriented
Let’s talk about each type..
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Secure: I’m okay, you’re okay, we’re okay, it’s okay
Caregiver: available physically and emotionally, appropriately responsive (good enough)
Results: easy expression of self (both positives and negatives)
I am loved, I am lovable, I can show all my emotions
Develops into
Secure adult style; calm, confident
Deep sense of personal value
Willing to establish intimate and caring relationships
Willing to take considered risks
Relaxed exploration
Anxious/ambivalent: Pay attention to me!
Caregiver: inconsistent (self-absorbed); inconsistently appropriate in responses
Results: hyperactivation strategies, anger on return
I’m not sure I’m loved, I’m not sure I’m lovable, I must get your attention
Develops into:
Preoccupied adult style; clingy, demanding, attention-seeking
Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse
Avoidant: I must not feel!
Caregivers: distancing, neglectful, punishing dependency, rewarding independence
Results: deactivation strategies; little visible distress on separation, turning away on return
I’m not sure I’m loved, I’m not sure I’m lovable, I must avoid attention
Develops into
Dismissing adult style; distancing, little intimacy
Outwardly secure, inwardly clueless about emotions
Personality disorders, substance abuse
Disorganized/disoriented: I live in terror
Caregiver: frightened or frightening (origin of terror AND source of safety), intrusive, with affective communication errors
Results: biological paradox; collapse of proximity-seeking strategies; freezing, dissociation, rocking, head banging
I’m not loved, I’m not lovable, I must have your attention but I am afraid of your attention
Develops into
Fearful adult style, approach-avoidance behaviors, personality disorder, substance abuse.
Watch this 5 minute video to learn more about this attachment style: Dan Siegel Disorganized
Limitations to Attachment Theory
Be careful when assessing and utilizing attachment categories in clinical social work.
If life circumstances change, attachment-related behaviors/internal working models can also change.
Individuals can also display characteristics of a variety of attachment styles.
Attachment styles are relationship specific.
But- attachment theory is still helpful in clinical social work as our earliest relationship experiences can impact our current behavior.
In essence…..
“We all receive the same message: the world is big and you are not; the world is powerful and you are not; the world is inscrutable but you must discern its ways to survive.”
“Those who experienced loving, supportive relationships in their families do not need to long for what they experienced, for now they carry with them an internalized and empowering ground to their being.”
James Hollis
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It is important to know your attachment style
Future practitoners know thyself to best serve clients
Countertransference
For our journal reflection this week we will get to know our attachment style (be excited!)
Citations
T.H.Holmes and T.H. Rahe. (1967). "The Social Readjustment Rating Scale," Journal of Psychosomatic Research. https://www.dartmouth.edu/eap/library/lifechangestresstest.pdf
Harvard. (2017, April 11). Turning Fear into Power https://hms.harvard.edu/news-events/longwood-seminars/video-archive/2017-longwood-seminars-video-archive
[Thibs44]. (2009, January 17). The Strange Situation – Mary Ainsworth Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTsewNrHUHU
[PsychAlive]. (2011, March 13). Dr Dan Siegel – On Disorganized Attachment Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGDqJYEi_Ks
