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Bowlby's Legacy to Developmental Psychology

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Abstract

In formulating attachment theory, Bowlby made a number of important conceptual contributions to our understanding of human development. Discussed here are the balance (rather than the conflict) between attachment and exploration, the concept of internal working models, and the parent as a psychological secure base. In addition, Bowlby's “theory of reality” is examined, integration of Bowlby's and Erikson's ideas regarding attachment and culture is suggested, and Bowlby's open-minded approach to theory construction is acknowledged.

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Correspondence to Inge Bretherton.

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Bretherton, I. Bowlby's Legacy to Developmental Psychology. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 28, 33–43 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025193002462

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