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John Bowlby - From Psychoanalysis to Ethology: Unravelling the Roots of Attachment Theory

Author(s) : Frank C.P. Van der Horst

Reviews and Endorsements

'Frank van der Horst applies his background in both history and psychology to unravel the origins of a major developmental theory. What is obvious now is how attachment theory continues to grow and provide a framework for both research and practice. Less obvious now is that John Bowlby's theory of the development of a child's tie to mother was revolutionary. This well-written volume focuses on those crucial years when Bowlby discovered Ethology. He wove its concepts into extensive clinical observations to provide an explanation for long-lasting effects of maternal care, including separation. This volume sets the development of Bowlby's thinking within the context of his whole life, to provide a coherent account of how a dedicated clinician came to develop an influential theory of human emotional development, from the cradle to the grave.'
- Dr Joan Stevenson-Hinde, Senior Research Fellow, Sub-Department of Animal Behaviour, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK

'This volume provides invaluable insights for anyone interested in the origins of attachment theory. No previous publication describes Bowlby's integrative approach to theory-building (particularly the process of reworking psychoanalytic concepts in light of ethology) with the same depth. Also central are detailed analyses of the historical and institutional context within which Bowlby's ideas developed and incisive accounts, based on previously unpublished letters and interviews, of his intellectual interchanges and personal relationships with major figures and colleagues.'
- Inge Bretherton, Professor Emerita, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA