ATTACHMENT AND SEPARATION IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Attachment theory is criticized for being based on momentary stressful situations, for being limited to behaviors that occur with the primary attachment figure, for including only overt behaviors in its paradigm, and for failing to consider multiple attachments at different stages of life. A model of psychological attunement is then presented and supported by several studies documenting behavioral, physiological, and biochemical responses to separations from parents and peers.