During this phase, different kinds of stimuli, which can be both social and non-social, produce a positive response, like a smile.

Asocial Attachment Phase (0-6 weeks of life)

During this time, infants are pleased by human company and most babies react equally to any caregiver. They become distressed when an individual ends an interaction. Around 3 months of age, babies tend to smile more at faces they are familiar with and are comfortable with a regular caregiver.

Indiscriminate Attachments (6 weeks-7 months of life)

At this age, infants secure a special preference for a certain single attachment figure. The baby begins to show a fear of strangers and despair when separated from their preferred attachment figure. Fear of strangers and separation anxiety is different in every infant, varying in intensity. This is evidence that the child has formed an attachment. The baby has particular people they turn to for security, comfort, and protection. 

Specific Attachments (7-9 months of life)

The baby gains more independence and has formed several attachments at this point. A majority of infants have formed multiple attachments by 18 months of age. Studies show that attachments do not form with the person they spend more time with, rather with the person who responds more accurately to the baby’s signals. When forming attachments, playing and communicating with a child is more important than feeding and changing the child which shows that responsiveness is the key to forming healthy attachments.

Multiple Attachments (10 months and onwards)

A child's attachment generally develops in phases as they grow:

•	0-6 weeks of life is known as the asocial phase

•	6 weeks to 7 months indiscriminate attachments are formed

•	7-9 months specific attachments are created

•	10 months and onwards, multiple attachments are established

University of Colorado at Denver

Attachment theory comes from the joint and individual works of psychologists John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. The theory proposes that humans are born with a need to form close, emotional bonds with a caregiver and this bond created in early years can affect a human’s relationships for the rest of their life. The theory changed the way researchers thought about a child's tie to their mother and how disruptions through separation, deprivation, and loss can have lasting effects.

Attachment Theory

McLeod, S. (2009). Attachment Theory. www.simplypsychology.org /attachment.html. http://www.psych205.com/uploads/2/6/3/0/26304200/simplypsychology.org-attachment.pdf

Attachment Theory (McLeod)

Bretherton, I. (1992). The Origins of Attachment Theory: John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. Developmental Psychology, 28(5), 759–775. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.28.5.759

The Origins of Attachment Theory

Attachment Phases in Babies

Spilt, J. L., Koomen, H. M., &amp; Thijs, J. T. (2011). Teacher wellbeing: The importance of teacher–student relationships. Educational Psychology Review, 23(4), 457–477. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-011-9170-y 

Teacher wellbeing: The importance of teacher–student relationships

Similar to parental figures or caregivers to children, educators in the classroom develop mental frameworks for their various relationships with their students. These mental frameworks constitute a teacher's emotional beliefs and expectations about their professionalism and role-model abilities as a teacher for their students. Furthermore, it is found that attachment theory in educators is very important to their emotional wellbeing. 

Attachment Theory In a Teacher's Relationships with Students

A person's attachment style refers to an array of knowledge, expectations, and insecurities that an individual has about themselves and their close relationships. Attachment styles have been found to be more malleable in childhood and adolescence than in adulthood. The way caregivers respond to their infants, especially during times of distress, can determine the types of patterns of attachment the children form. A person's attachment style can be classified as secure or insecure.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After