emphasise that a person's pattern of relating to others is established in early childhood

newborns begin life in a state of psychological fusion with mothers (this period called symbiosis)

age 3->stable representation of mother develops, which is derived from experiences

child uses this image as lens to view mother in future and generalise it to other people

basic element of human nature involving an emotional connection to others

develops as caretaker responds to infant's needs

provides a secure base from which the infant can explore the world & retreat from threat

children builds models of the self, others and the nature of r/s

to guide their behaviours with others based on their expectations of how attachment figures respond to their behaviour

involving mother and stranger, infant left alone with stranger and then mother returns

normal distress when mother left, happy enthusiasm when she returned

sought contact with mum but angrily resisted all efforts to be soothed

calm when mum left, avoided, ignored and rejected upon her return

Obsessive, preoccupied, extremes of emotions, sexual attraction, and jealousy, love at first sight

seek less support during stress, provide less support to stress partners

Prototype for close r/s arises in infancy & persists in the face of new experiences

those who show patterns of change over time may be insecure but have periods of security

Ppl demonstrate diff patterns for r/s in diff contexts (close friends, large groups)