The Social Network: A Reconsideration of the Concept of Attachment

Abstract

The concept of attachment is reviewed and is found to be somewhat confusing and restrictive. An alternative to this concept, a social network approach, is offered to clarify the issues central to the study of social relationships. First, the following definition features of attachment are critically examined: (1) the affectionate quality of the relationship; (2) the role of proximity-seeking and maintaining behaviors; (3) the enduring quality of the relationship; (4) the uniqueness of the relationship and differentiality of behavioral expression; (5) attachment as an all-or-none phenomenon, and (6) attachment as a ‘tie’, ‘bond’, or ‘behavioral system’. Second, a social network approach is presented and specific propositions concerning this approach outlined.

Parent and Infant Attachment in Mammals

“…Other investigators have rejected the need for an attachment bond construct and view attachment in terms of the stimulus-response contingencies within the parent-infant relationship itself (Cairns, 1966(Cairns, , 1972Gewirtz, 1972b;Rosenthal, 1973;Weinraub et a/., 1977). Their focus is on the interactions (or, if you will, the attachment behaviors) of the infant and parent and the various conditions controlling the expression of these interactions.…”

Age and Sex Differences in Satisfying Love Relationships across the Adult Life Span

“…Although little is known about what keeps love alive and well as lovers grow older together, increasing interest is being expressed in understanding the char acteristics and dimensions of attachment across the life span (Antonucci, 1976;Hartup and Lempers, 1973;Kalisli and Knudtson, 1976;Knudtson, 1976;Troll and Smith, 1976;Weinraub et al, 1977), and developmental theories of love suggest that there are qualitative changes in the nature of affectional relation ships over time (Bissett, 1970;Freud, 1949;Harlow, 1971;Levinger, 1974;Levinger and Snoek, 1972;Maslow, 1954;Orlinsky, 1972;Rosow, 1957;Shostrom, 1972;Winch, 1967).…”

Infants' Greeting Patterns to Strangers

“…occurs significantly more than other responses only when the stranger is within 1m of the infant (at 3m,~2(3) = .57, £ = n c s , ; at 2m,~2 (3) .04, at Lm , !2(3) = 59, E. < .001).…”