Skip to main content
Social Sci LibreTexts

15.4: What are the optimization implications of Ainsworth’s theory of attachment?

  • Page ID
    9346
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    According to Ainsworth, the antecedents of attachment formation rest squarely on the mother. She states, “in our sample of normal babies there is a strong case to be made for differences in attachment quality being attributable to maternal behavior” (Ainsworth, 1979, p. Chapter 4. Contrasting Theories: Bowlby, Ainsworth, and Gewirtz 6 933). As a result, the optimization implications are stationed there as well. In order to help more infants and their caregivers achieve an optimal attachment, that is, a secure dyadic attachment relationship, researchers should target caregivers, helping them to become more sensitive and responsive. (Of course, if this is to be accomplished in a theory-guided manner, then an additional theory is needed, namely, one that explains the antecedents of caregiver behavior.)