John Bowlby : from psychoanalysis to ethology : unravelling the roots of attachment theory / Frank C.P. van der Horst.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Van der Horst, Frank C. P., 1977-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bowlby, John.

Attachment behavior.

Attachment behavior in children.

Psychoanalysis.

Human behavior.

Physical Description:

xviii, 192 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

Chichester, West Sussex, UK ; Malden, MA : Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.

Summary:

In recent years, attachment theory has become established as a major theory in developmental psychology. Work by the founders of attachment theory, John Bowlby (1907-1990) and Mary Ainsworth (1913-1999), has been voted among the five most revolutionary studies in child psychology. Much work has been carried out on attachment-related issues, but the history of attachment theory itself remains under-researched. This book bridges an important gap in our knowledge of the history of developmental psychology.

Drawing on unique evidence from oral histories and little-known archive material, John Bowlby-From Psychoanalysis to Ethology offers a description of the "cross-fertilization" of attachment theory and ethology. Frank van der Horst describes the influential relationship between Bowlby and British ethologist Robert Hinde, which led Bowlby to rewrite psychoanalysis in the light of ethological principles. He also documents Bowlby's close personal contacts with animal psychologist Harry Harlow and psychoanalyst James Robertson, and his cooperation with Mary Ainsworth. By exploring the significance of these relationships, he sheds light on Bowlby's gradual shift from psychoanalysis to ethology - a shift which proved to be of great significance not only in his own work supporting children but in the work of developmental psychologists globally. Book jacket.

Contents:

Biographical notes and early career

Loneliness in infancy : the who report and issues of separation

Working with James Robertson : the importance of observation

Bowlby's first acquaintance with ethology : the work of Lorenz, Tinbergen, and Hinde

From theoretical claims to empirical evidence : Harry Harlow and the nature of love

Mary Ainsworth's role in the study of attachment.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

9780470683644

0470683643

OCLC:

678924567