Bowlby's legacy to developmental psychology.
In formulating attachment theory, Bowlby made a number of important conceptual contributions to our understanding of human development. Discussed here are the balance (rather than the conflict) between attachment and exploration, the concept of internal working models; and the parent as a psychological secure base. In addition, Bowlby's "theory of reality" is examined, integration of Bowlby's and Erikson's ideas regarding attachment and culture is suggested, and Bowlby's open-minded approach to theory construction is acknowledged.
Bretherton
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Department of Child and Family Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706, USA. ibretherton@macc.wisc.edu
D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009769:Object Attachment; D010553:Personality Development; D011574:Psychoanalytic Theory; D006113:United Kingdom