Positive Psychology

Attachment
Group members: Syeda Shehreen Zara 22365-C
Hira Farooq 21348-C
Kainat Shezadi 20877-C
Rimsha Saneed 21000-C
Maira Chaudhary 21509-C
 INTRODUCTION

Attachment an Adaptive Response

Content Neurobiology of Interpersonal

Connection

Parent Child Attachment

Attachment Styles & later adult
Relationships
 introduction
❖In positive psychology, an attachment refers
to a strong emotional bond or connection
between two individuals, typically a caregiver
and a child.

❖attachment is a key aspect of positive

psychology, as it emphasizes the importance
of healthy relationships and emotional
connections for overall well-being.
 JOHN BOWLBY (1958)

“Attachment theory suggests that early childhood

experiences with caregivers can shape an
individual's ability to form relationships and
emotional regulation throughout their life”
o a child who feels safe and secure in the
presence of their caregiver, such as a
parent or grandparent. When the child is
upset or afraid, they turn to their
caregiver for comfort and reassurance,
which helps to strengthen their
attachment bond. As the child grows
older, this attachment bond can serve as a
foundation for healthy relationships with
others, as they have learned to trust and
rely on others for support.

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Attachment an
Adaptive
Response
❖Attachment is considered an adaptive response to the need for protection and security.

❖Attachment behavior is a response to the infant's need for protection and security in the

face of danger, and it serves to ensure their survival.

❖Attachment behavior is characterized by seeking proximity to the attachment figure, such

as the mother or primary caregiver, in times of distress or danger.

❖Attachment behaviors are often non-verbal and include crying, clinging, and following.
❖ The attachment relationship provides a safe and secure base from which the child can explore

the world and develop independence and autonomy.

❖ The attachment relationship provides a foundation for emotional and social development,

including the development of self-esteem, empathy, and the ability to regulate emotions.

❖ Secure attachment is associated with positive outcomes in childhood and adulthood, including

better mental health, higher self-esteem, and more positive social relationships.
 BOWLBY (1958)

“Attachment can be understood within an

evolutionary context in that the caregiver provides
safety and security for the infant. Attachment is
adaptive as it enhances the infant's chance of
survival”.
Neurobiology
of
Interpersonal
Connection
❖ Attachment is thought to be rooted in the brain's reward system, which involves the release

of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

❖ When a child receives nurturing and responsive care, their brain releases dopamine, which

produces positive feelings and reinforces the attachment bond.

❖ The attachment bond is also associated with the release of oxytocin, a hormone that

promotes bonding and social affiliation.

❖ Children who experience neglect or abuse may have altered brain development and

functioning in areas involved in attachment and emotional regulation, which can lead

to difficulties in building healthy relationships later in life.

❖ Understanding the neurobiology of attachment can inform interventions that promote

healthy attachment, such as parent-child attachment interventions that focus on

nurturing and responsive caregiving.

Parent Child
Attachment
❖ Parent-child attachment refers to the emotional bond that develops between a child and

their primary caregiver, typically the mother or father.

❖ Attachment begins to develop in infancy and is influenced by the caregiver's sensitivity and

responsiveness to the child's needs.

❖ Secure attachment is characterized by the child's ability to use the caregiver as a secure base

from which to explore the world, and the caregiver's ability to provide nurturing and

responsive care.
❖ Insecure attachment can take the form of anxious-ambivalent attachment, in which the child

is clingy and anxious even when the caregiver is present, or avoidant attachment, in which

the child avoids seeking comfort from the caregiver and appears indifferent to their

presence.

❖ The quality of parent-child attachment can have long-lasting effects on the child's social,

emotional, and cognitive development, and can influence the child's ability to form healthy

relationships later in life.

❖ Interventions that promote healthy attachment include parent-child attachment

interventions, which focus on enhancing sensitive and responsive caregiving and

strengthening the parent-child relationship.

❖ Parent-child attachment interventions can be effective in improving parent-child

relationships, reducing behavior problems in children, and improving child outcomes such as

emotion regulation, social skills, and academic achievement.

 Attachment
Styles & later
adult
Relationships
❖ Attachment styles are patterns of attachment behavior that develop in childhood and

continue into adulthood.

❖ People with secure attachment styles tend to have more positive, satisfying, and stable

relationships in adulthood.

❖ People with anxious-ambivalent attachment styles may be overly dependent on their

partners and experience more relationship anxiety and instability.

❖ People with avoidant attachment styles may have difficulty forming close relationships and

may be less trusting and less invested in their relationships.

❖ Attachment styles can be influenced by childhood experiences with caregivers, but they can

also be influenced by later life experiences such as romantic relationships.

❖ People with insecure attachment styles can benefit from attachment-focused therapy, which

can help them develop more secure attachment styles and improve their relationships.
❖ Attachment-focused therapy can help people learn to recognize and communicate their

attachment needs, develop more effective communication skills, and improve their emotional

regulation and empathy

summary
By cultivating secure attachment styles and
positive emotions in our relationships, we
can promote greater well-being and
resilience.
Through intentional effort and practice, we
can build stronger, more fulfilling connections
with others and experience the many
benefits of positive attachments.
In conclusion, attachment is a fundamental
aspect of human development and plays a
crucial role in shaping our emotional and
social lives.

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thank you