Part 1 - The Task

Compares and contrasts his observational approach to the problem of psychopathology resulting from early experience with Freud's reflective and analytical approach. Provides a summary of research observations of mother-infant attachment which precede the development of attachment theory, including those of Roberstson and the work of (Spitz & Wolf, 1946).

He notes that once children are over around six months, if the child has had a reasonably secure relationships with its mother, it will show a 'predictable sequence of behaviour' (p. 27) on separation. These phases are:

Adapted from Bowlby (1969)

Protest	Lasts from a few hours to a week or more. Child appears acutely distressed. May cry loudly, shake the cot, throw himself about and look eagerly for any sign of the mother's return.
Despair	Preoccupation with missing mother is still present but behaviour suggests hopelessness. Active physical movements diminish or end and child may cry monotonously or intermittently. Child appears to be in mourning.
Detachment	Child no longer rejects nurses and surrogate care givers. May smile and be socialble. Return of mother results in apparent lack of interest. Child will remain remote, apathetic and listless.

Part 2 - Instinctive Behaviour

Part 3 - Attachment Behaviour

Part 4 - Ontogeny of Human Attachment

Part 5 - Old Controversies and New Findings