Question

What is the process by which attachment occurs?

Answer 1

Attachment theories suggest that children tend to get attached to the caregivers for few reasons such as, to avoid getting into the hands of the strangers which is called stranger anxiety, when they are separated from the caregiver and looking for comfort which is otherwise called separation anxiety and finally the response that the child expects from the caregiver which is otherwise called social referencing.

Every child goes through the following process before forming multiple attachments. Asocial (0-6 weeks) – When the child is born it doesn’t know anyone because it can’t actually see anyone as the vision is blurred. It could only feel the warmth of the care giver. Indiscriminate Attachments (6 weeks to 7 months) – The child can’t discriminate people but it only responds to sounds and touch through a smile. Specific Attachment (7-9 months) – During this period, the child is able to recognise the caregiver and it keeps going back to them whenever it feels unsafe. Multiple Attachments (10 months onwards) – The child is able to recognize its siblings, family members and neighbours if they visit the child often.

If proper attachment is not achieved through these stages, children may develop a weak personality without trusting others. If care givers don’t look after the needs properly the child may not form attachment and it would be deviated from the society too.