PERSPECTIVES ON ATTACHMENT AND PSYCHOANALYSIS

Attachment theory and research have emphasized the importance of under standing the individual as existing withing a network of relationships . The idea of development being relationship based, and interactions w ith the primary caretaker leading toward the internalization of a rela tionship experience, is quite different from and complements psychoana lytic ideas about development. In this article, attachment as a relati onship approach for understanding development is contrasted with relev ant psychoanalytic perspectives. Current theoretical and research conc epts focusing on affect development and the evolution of the parent-in fant relationship are discussed. A broader understanding of attachment is presented, which includes two ideas. The first is that internal re presentations build on internal working models of development. The sec ond is that the attachment concept, combined with systems theory, is a way to conceptualize aspects of family theory and therapy. Finally, c linical implications of attachment theory and research are discussed.