History of Models of Attachment Theory

The history of models of attachment theory includes Mary Ainsworth's work on secure, ambivalent, and avoidant attachment styles in children, as well as the later discovery of a fourth category called disorganized attachment. Studies have shown that disorganized attachment is a main risk factor for adult mental health problems, particularly among individuals with major psychiatric diagnoses. There has been a debate among researchers on how to define disorganized attachment, with some believing it has an implicit organization while others view it as purely disorganized. Patricia Crittenden's model of attachment theory, though more complex and challenging to teach, offers a broader perspective that includes factors such as hyperarousal and their impact on attachment, sexual behavior, and aggressive behavior. In comparison, the traditional model uses four or five basic categories to categorize attachment styles.