Relevant Theories

Attachment Theory

Attachment Theory was developed by Bowlby and Ainsworth and describes stages as well as styles of attachment. The four attachment styles are secure, insecure-ambivalent, insecure-avoidant and insecure-disorganized (Ainsworth, 1978). Secure attachment is ideal, when a child is happy and responsive to the caregiver (Ainsworth, 1978). Insecure-ambivalent attachment is characterized by discomfort when away from the caregiver, but the caregiver is not able to soothe the child upon return (Ainsworth, 1978). Insecure-avoidant attachment is characterized by no distress when the caregiver leaves and no acknowledgement upon the return of the caregiver (Ainsworth, 1978). Lastly, insecure- disorganized attachment is characterized by no specific attachment behaviors and confusion around the caregiver (Ainsworth, 1978). This attachment style is often the result of abusive or neglectful parenting (Ainsworth, 1978). “The Happiest Baby on the Block” talks about attachment style in regards to growing infants. For example, the book goes into detail on when to soothe a crying baby and when to let them cry it out. If a parent does not comfort a baby at the appropriate time when it cries, it may develop an insecure-disorganized attachment style resulting from the neglectful parenting it has experienced. This attachment style can lead to problems throughout the baby's life, such as trouble when finding a romantic partner.

Ainsworth, M. (1978). The Bowlby-Ainsworth attachment theory. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 1(3), 436-438. doi:10.1017/S0140525X00075828

Family Systems Theory

Family Systems Theory was developed by Murray Bowen. This theory explains family functioning in many terms such as interdependence and feedback (Bigner & Gerhardt, 127). This theory applies to the book in terms of interdependence. The baby depends on the caregivers for almost everything in its first few years of life. In this theory, Bowen discusses how what affects one affects the whole (Bigner & Gerhardt, 113). This is especially true with a new baby. Caregivers need to be responsive to the baby and its needs, while knowing that what affects the baby will affect them in some aspects of their life. Families are constantly trying to achieve homeostasis (Bigner & Gerhardt, 262). When using the techniques discussed in the book, families can start to achieve homeostasis starting with learning how to calm their baby in times of distress.

Bigner, J.J. & Gerhardt, C. (2014). Parent-Child Relations: An Introduction to Parenting, 10th Ed.Pearson. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-285334-7