Theories of Attachment: An Introduction to Bowlby, Ainsworth, Gerber, Brazelton, Kennell, and Klaus (NONE)

This was a key insight of mine when I was in college. It made me decide not to have any children. I didn't want to pass my own childhood on to any children of mine. That was the least I could do for the world - stop that evil in its tracks. It was a simple decision, and I have no sympathy for those who could not make it, and produced more miserable children of their own.The first part of this book, particularly the introduction, was valuable to me, but the last section - about how people like the author are trying to help struggling parents - left me cold. Although the first chapter in this section The Birthing Process and Starting in Care wasn't too bad.I suppose I should be a more supportive of these parents who are making the world worse - but that is not the way I operate.I will continue to educate myself about this subject, using some of her references. Her book is especially helpful in that way.

I was hoping for a more scholarly book on attachment theory. I found the initial chapters on Bowlby, Ainsworth, Gerber, Brazelton, Kennell and Klaus superficial The rest of the book struck me as a short course for people who work in early childhood care centers. In this part the author shares a lot of personal experience and a very loving and flexible philosophy of child care, I like her emphasis on supporting inexperienced mothers. I recommend this book to child care center staff but not to parents.

Good review of the the different people who developed attachment theories and their contribution to attachment.

This book is a fairly simple, well written historical overview of attachment theory. Is excellent for that. Does not go into great depth, but links up different ideas nicely.

I really like this book, it was full of great information on attachment. I would highly suggest anyone reading this book if you are in the early childhood field

I needed this book along with the theories of childhood by the same author. These books are light, full of info, and easy to read. Overall it was a great purchase.

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Theories of Attachment . . . is a very interesting book about relationship development, especially beginning in childhood.

What a humane, wise and very useful guide. This is intended for childcare or infant teachers – not for academics - but is equally vital for the concerned parent or grandparent.This review of theoretical thinking since John Bowlby effectively founded attachment theory in the 1950s is constantly leavened by the refrain that ‘one size does not fit all’ and that caregivers must primarily base their advice or actions on observing the particular infant and her/his family – not in any predetermined theory (including attachment theory). The author writes with a balanced awareness of how practices have changed in the West over the past 70 years - swinging back and forth between regarding the baby as a powerful tyrant or as a fragile butterfly in need of 24 hour attention.Nevertheless, the importance of early bonding and attachment between infant and principal care-giver is central – and affection is just as important as nourishment and protection. The evolving nature of Western knowledge and approaches to infant-care is emphasised, as is the importance of paying attention to different cultural backgrounds and not being dogmatic. Equally important is the emphasis given (albeit undeveloped) to the real possibility in later life of someone overcoming early poor or negative attachment with the mother (or equivalent): your personal development is not all over by the time you are six months old.There are especially helpful sections on the potential trauma (for parents) of putting a baby into an infant-care centre, due to the pressure of work; and on infant crying.Mooney writes clearly and succinctly – the whole book is 140 pages long – with admirable, bullet-point summaries. Critics of attachment theory, notably Jerome Kagan, are given due weight.

This book has a very misleading title. It is not an Introduction to the theorists but only a mere skate over their theories. They have been given 33 pages of this 150 page book. What this book is however in my opinion is a short manual for parents-to-be in, what can only be described as, very layman terms. Not the moneys worth in my opinion.

Good little book; needs to be used with more substantial tomes on the individual theories but a good reference to alert the reader to differing perspectives...

Not sure who this is aimed at....? Not much content and a lot about eg Bowlby's and Ainswoth's bio.......?

Great for an overview of the theoretical perpectives.Core Reading on my Early Years Degree