1910s:
- Object relations theory takes a departure from Freudian psychodynamics by emphasizing the importance of attachment relationships, over biological drives, in human development.
1930s:
- Pediatrician Harry Bakwin studies the effect of institutionalization on children at Bellevue Hospital in New York City.
- Konrad Lorenz publishes “The Companion in the Bird’s World,” to describe the process of imprinting.
1940s:
- Rene Spitz observes the arrested physical, cognitive and emotional development of infants who had extended stays in hospitals.
- John Bowlby begins developing attachment theory based on his observations of children separated from their primary caregivers during World War II.
- Bowlby proposes that early attachments formed with caregivers have a significant impact on an individual’s emotional and social development.
1950s:
- Bowlby publishes “Maternal Care and Mental Health,” outlining his early ideas on attachment theory.
- Harlow, inspired by Bowlby, conducts the “Nature of Love” experiment, showing that rhesus monkeys prefer a surrogate mother made of soft material, over a surrogate mother who has milk, but is made of wire. Learn more.
- Mary Ainsworth, a student of Bowlby, begins to work with James Robertson on studies of child separation, and begins her first major research project, studying infant-parent interactions in Uganda.
1960s:
- Ainsworth begins a second study, this time directly observing child-parent interactions in Baltimore, Maryland.
1970s:
- Ainsworth develops and conducts the “Strange Situation” experiment to assess the quality of attachment between infants and their caregivers.
- Ainsworth and her colleagues expand the research on attachment, exploring factors influencing attachment security and the long-term effects of early attachment patterns.
- Ed Tronick conducts the “Still Face Experiment” to observe how lack of mother’s emotional expression affects the development of children.
1980s:
- Mary Main and her colleagues introduce the concept of disorganized/disoriented attachment, identifying a fourth attachment style that emerges in some infants’ behaviors during the Strange Situation.
1990s:
- Bowlby’s attachment theory gains widespread recognition and influence in the fields of psychology, child development, and psychotherapy.
- Researchers continue to investigate the impact of attachment on various aspects of development, including social relationships, emotion regulation, and mental health.
2000s:
- Researchers explore the role of attachment in adult relationships and its influence on romantic partnerships and parenting behaviors.
- Advances in neuroscience allow for a better understanding of the brain mechanisms underlying attachment processes.
2010s:
- Attachment theory continues to evolve, with researchers incorporating new perspectives and exploring cultural variations in attachment patterns.
- Studies highlight the importance of early intervention and therapeutic interventions to support individuals with insecure attachment styles.