This essay will explore various theorists' views on attachment and how sensitive mothering impacts the social and emotional aspects of a child's development, based on evidence determined by John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth and Erik Erikson. It will explain the internal working model and how sensitive mothering impacts the type of attachment formed by the child. Furthermore, it will review research performed on children and adults and the long-term effects of various attachment types.
Sensitive mothering (MCSA, 2014) can be defined as "attentiveness to the child, mutuality of interactions and the mother's ability to stimulate the child" (Macleod-Brudenell and Kay, 2008, 2nd Edition). In other words, it is a mother's ability to detect the meaning behind her infant's observable signs, and to respond aptly. It includes the mother's capacity to stimulate the infant (Macleod-Brudenell and Kay, 2008). Sensitive mothering is essential to the social and emotional development of the child (Macleod-Brudenell and Kay, 2008). Insensitive mothering, therefore, is the opposite of this, when a mother does not respond appropriately to her child. This could be due to the mother suffering from post-natal depression, drug or alcohol abuse, or simply being too busy to tend to her child. Sensitive mothering is linked to having a positive emotional base as it forms a solid foundation for all future relationships in a child's life. When this foundation is established and the child trusts his/her carer and environment, the child will feel secure enough to explore his/her environment and thus will be able to gain knowledge and understanding. When a child is able to learn and has the capacity and drive to acquire new knowledge, s/he is able to develop holistically and will mature into a balanced adult. A non-positive emotional base is the result of insensitive mothering and surfaces as an inability to form or sustain healthy relationships in adulthood.
Bowlby's theory of attachment...