What is the attachment theory?

The attachment theory was developed by Mary Ainsworth. This theory is used to describe the relationships that children between the ages of 1-2 develop with their primary caregiver (usually the mother). This theory was established via a study known as the strange situation test in which the child was seperated from their mother and placed in the company of a stranger, and then reunited with their mother. 

The behaviour observed from the babies resulted in 3 attachement styles. Secure attachment: the child has a healthy relationship with the mother, where the baby is distressed when the mother leaves and avoides the stranger but is positive when the mother returns. Avoidant attachment: where the child shows no interest in the mother, stranger or the mother returning. Finally, ambivalent attachment: where the child shows intense distress at mother leaving, avoids the stranger and resists the mother when they return. Around 70% of children show secure attachment and 15% show avoidant, 15% ambivalent behaviour.