a theory that (a) suggests an evolutionarily advantage, especially in primates, for the forming of close emotional bonds with significant others, and (b) characterizes four different types of relationships between human infants and caregivers. The patterns of attachment established in infancy have been shown to affect the individual’s later emotional development, relationships, and emotional stability. See also attachment behavior- insecure attachment- secure attachment. [originally developed by John Bowlby and later expanded by Canadian-born U.S. psychologist Mary D. Salter Ainsworth (1913-1999)]
ATTACHMENT THEORY: “Attachment theory suggests that the pattern of attachment an infant has with a caregiver will give rise to different relationship behaviors later.”