Attachment Theory
John Bowlby developed the attachment theory and was it to describe attachment as, “a lasting psychological connectedness between human beings” (Cherry, 2016). Attachment theory is focused on the bonds and relationships between people, especially long-term relationships that include relationships such as parent-child and romantic partners. The earliest behavioural theories claimed that attachment is a learned behavior. There are four specific styles of attachment styles; secure attachment, fearful attachment, preoccupied attachment, and dismissive attachment. This paper will analyse two of these styles.
Secure Attachment
Explanation of Concept
Adults with secure attachment style tend to be greatly satisfied with their relationships. Children having a secure attachment style, consider their parents as their secured base, which they may choose to venture out from and explore the world independently. An adult with secure attachment develops a well-connected and secure relationship with their partner, and allows their partner to move freely. When their partners are feeling distressed, secure adults provide full support. In addition, secure partners seek comfort in their partners when they feel troubled (McLeod, 2016).
People with secure attachment have honest, equal and open relationships and develop trusting and loving behaviour. With a secure attachment, an individual feels self-possessed and confident, and easily interacts with others. They are also able to meet another’s and their own needs. Infants with secure attachment are soothed easily by an attachment figure. Such infants trust that adults around them will comfort them when needed. Children use an attachment figure as their safe base for exploring their environment and seek their attachment figure, in case they face a distressing moment (McLeod, 2016).
Overview of Clip
The clip is from the movie Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. The clip shows Harry Potter entering the Weasley family home and people treat him with love and respect. As they witness Harry Potter in their home, they are initially surprised, but the family welcomes him with open arms. The clip also reveals that Weasley family does not want their children to go to Hogwarts as they consider it is too dangerous. The secure attachment is revealed as Weasley and Hermione agree with with their parent’s opinion.
Connection of Concept to Clip
The clip is related to the concept of secure attachment as the relationship revealed in the clip explains the closeness between children and parents in the scene. The closeness is reveals the satisfaction of children and the mother in their relationship. As parents are distressed with their children going off to Hogwarts, Children also agree with their opinion as they also believe that their parents concern is real.
The honest and open relationship developed by the Weasleys with their children is shown in the clip as they fully trust their parent’s opinion. Their trust and confidence helps Ron and Hermione to explain to Harry that going to Hogwarts is risky and their parent’s concern is logical. For Weasley family, their home provides a safe environment against the death eaters.
Link to Clip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U3nUVhn9-A
Dismissive Attachment
Explanation of Concept
Dismissive avoidant attachment means people possess the capability to emotionally distance themselves. Dismissive attachment pertains to people who seek isolation and prefer to take care of themselves. Dismissive attachment means people are capable of focusing on them and can be capable of attending their comforts. Their pseudo-independence is a developed illusion, as all humans need to connect with others. Nonetheless, people with dismissive avoidant attachment style tend to live as introverts; this means they can easily detach from their loved ones and deny them importance. These people possess the ability of shutting down emotionally (Fraley, 2010).
Even when they are in emotional situations or heated discussions, they can easily turn-off their personal feelings and control their reaction. For instance, when their partner feels distressed or threatens to leave, their response is, mostly, “I don’t care.” Adults with dismissing-avoidant attachment can use their defensive strategies through adaptive means. They are also capable of suppressing their feelings and thoughts when they feel like. This means, people with dismissive attachment style can deactivate their physiological arousals and they can minimize attention paid to thoughts related to attachment (Fraley, 2010).
Overview of the clip
The clip reveals the character of an old man named Carl who has a dismissive attachment style, who witnesses a child named Russell knocking at his door. Carl lives alone after the death of wife and wants to get rid of Russell, who only wants to help an old man. But, after attempting everything, Carl lies to Russell and asks him to catch a Snipe who gobbles all Azaleas in Carl’s yard. It is Carl’s ability to turn off his emotions and misguide a child who wants to help him shows Carl’s dismissive attachment style (Docker).
Connection of Concept to Clip
The Clip presents the audience to two characters, one of them is an old widower named Carl who prefers to live a secluded life. One day a young boy named Russell knocks on his door and tells him that he would like to help him. Carl wants to live in isolation prefers to lie to the child, rather than help the young child achieve his goals. Such behaviour shows the level of isolation Carl lives in as he is not even willing to help a young child.
Overall, his pseudo-independence is an illusion that he has developed, as he is one way grieving the loss of his wife. But, Carl is unwilling to share his feelings with others and rejects social interaction with other people. Carl’s behaviour in the clip justifies the dismissive attachment style as he is able to control his emotions and personal feelings around a child, even though he wants him to go away and so he can grieve the loss of his wife alone.
Link to Clip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XubM62q9nlw
References
Cherry., K. (2016, 18 April). What Is Attachment Theory?. Retrieved 10 June 2016 from, https://www.verywell.com/what-is-attachment-theory-2795337
Docter, P. (Director). (2009). Up [Motion picture]. United States of America: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Fraley., R.C. (2010). A Brief Overview of Adult Attachment Theory and Research. Retrieved 10 June 2016 from, https://internal.psychology.illinois.edu/~rcfraley/attachment.htm
Mcleod., S. (2016). Mary Ainsworth. Retrieved 10 June 2016 from, http://www.simplypsychology.org/mary-ainsworth.html
Yates, D. (Director). (2009). Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince [Motion picture]. United Kingdom: Warner Brothers.
