Secure Attachment: Foundation of Healthy Relationships - Research Paper Example

Hence, if psychoanalytical theory is applied to the given case, then it will suggest making every effort in calming the child. If the child who is crying is ignored and overlooked, then he is likely to develop the feeling of insecurity, and will end up feeling that he is not loved. This feeling will negatively affect the healthy emotional development in adulthood. The theory of behaviorism, on the other hand, is based on the belief that “a child is born with a clean slate,” and hence, the development of behavior is a result of the conditions and events that are written on his mind throughout life (Gordon & Browne, 2011, p.112). The behaviorists believe that the behavior of a child can be modified by modifying the ‘conditions’ of the event (Gordon & Browne, 2011, p.112). That is, the human behavior is caused by the conditional response by others (Gordon & Browne, 2011, p.112). Hence, if we apply behaviorism to the given case, then it will suggest that the baby who is crying should be ignored.

This is because if the baby is picked up or is attended to, then the crying behavior will be rewarded with positive reaction, which will in turn result in reinforcement and increase in crying behavior (Levine & Munsch, 2011, p.30). Contrary to behaviorism is the attachment theory. The importance of relationship of belonging between an infant and caregiver is explored by the ‘attachment theory’ (Rosalid, 2011, p.260). Research strongly suggests that the quality of relationship in infant’s adult life is strongly predicted by his mother’s sensitivity to his needs (Rosalid, 2011, p.260). Hence, if the attachment theory is applied to the situation, then it suggests that crying of an infant expresses his needs of comfort, and hence, he should be comforted through touch or by picking.

This will help the child in developing secure and strong emotional relationships in the future. If the child is ignored, then the quality of his relationship with others will be hampered. Parents’ Reaction There are conflicting views by different theorists regarding the response the parents should give when their babies cry. However, overall research in the field of child development suggests that parents should respond by showing sensitivity and comfort towards child, as it decreases the anger and crying in infants (Santrock, 2007, p. 337). Hence, the research says that parents should respond by providing comfort and love to their baby’s cries.

Value of Mother Psychologist John Bowlby formulated the attachment theory to explain how the secure attachment is developed in infants. His earlier work had shown that children feel intense pain and anguish when they experience separation from their mother (Holmes, 1993, p.62). He also showed that neurosis, delinquent behavior and mental illness are some of the disastrous long term effects of separation from parent (Holmes, 1993, p.62). Hence, ‘secure attachment’ with mother is important.

Security attachment is the attachment which is developed due to the formation of ‘secure base.’ Presence of the ‘attachment figure’ provides the feeling of security to the infants, and it helps them to play, express curiosity and explore new things even in unfamiliar environments (Holmes, 1993, p.70). In presence of danger, infants and children cling to their mothers