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John Bowlby – From Psychoanalysis to Ethology: Unraveling the Roots of Attachment Theory
Abstract
This accessible book draws on unique evidence from oral histories and little-known archive material to shed new light on the working relationships which led to John Bowlby's shift from psychoanalysis to ethology as a frame of reference - and ultimately to the development of attachment theory. A unique exploration of the origins of Bowlby's ideas and the critical transformation in his thinking - offers an alternative to standard accounts of the origin of attachment theory. Explores the significance of Bowlby's influential working relationships with Robert Hinde, Harry Harlow, James Robertson and Mary Ainsworth. Provides students, academics, and practitioners with clear insights into the development of attachment theory. Accessible to general readers interested in psychology and psychoanalysis.
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“Lorenz portrayed FAPs as highly stereotyped innate movement patterns that would run to completion regardless of further stimulation, thus comprising a concrete rendering of the genetically-programmed core of a species’ typical behavior (Van der Horst, 2011).”
From Back to basics: A re-evaluation of the relevance of imprinting in the genesis of Bowlby’s attachment theory (2022) · cites this paper as Van der Horst, 2011
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“demonstrating that imprinting is a process neither instinctive nor learned (Van der Horst, 2011).”
From Back to basics: A re-evaluation of the relevance of imprinting in the genesis of Bowlby’s attachment theory (2022) · cites this paper as Van der Horst, 2011
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Metadata
- Authors
- van der Horst, F. C. P.
- Venue
- Wiley eBooks
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2011-03-17
- OpenAlex
- W1591721422
- Cited by
- 64
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 4.13
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Wiley eBooks (publishedVersion)
- EUR Research Repository (Erasmus University Rotterdam) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › General Psychology › Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Keywords
- John Bowlby, attachment theory, history of psychology, psychoanalysis, ethology, Harry Harlow, James Robertson, Mary Ainsworth, workplace relationships
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