A Defense of the Concept of Attachment

摘要

It is pointed out that recent references to attachment in the literature display a misunderstanding of this concept. Since most of the misunderstanding, and consequent criticism of the notion, derive from a confusion of the concepts of attachment qua affective bond, and attachment behaviors, these concepts are defined and a distinction is drawn between the two. It is suggested that on both theoretical and experimental grounds, this distinction is justifiable, and indeed, is invaluable.