Attachment theory in psychology is the attempt to examine the connection between how young people connect with their parents and the impact it has on their social development. The theory states that the attachment of babies to their parents is a natural occurrence, but one that is necessary. If the connection is not forged in infancy, the child may have issues with trust and development later in life. John Bowlby is the father of attachment theory and developed his theory in the late 1960's. Bowlby felt that children that did not develop this attachment were less likely to take risks necessary for learning. They become fearful and isolated. Mary Ainsworth was able to support this theory by observing and studying attachment behaviors that infants exhibited if their attachment needs were not being met. She concluded that these behaviors are natural and innate and form a survival mechanism for the child. More recently, attachment theory has been applied to study relationships that are formed by adults.
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