John Bowlby - From Psychoanalysis to Ethology

Unravelling the Roots of Attachment Theory

This accessible book draws on unique evidence from oral histories and little-known archive material to shed new light on the working relationships which led to John Bowlby’s shift from psychoanalysis to ethology as a frame of reference – and ultimately to the development of attachment theory.

• A unique exploration of the origins of Bowlby’s ideas and the critical transformation in his thinking – offers an alternative to standard accounts of the origin of attachment theory
• Explores the significance of Bowlby’s influential working relationships with Robert Hinde, Harry Harlow, James Robertson and Mary Ainsworth
• Provides students, academics, and practitioners with clear insights into the development of attachment theory
• Accessible to general readers interested in psychology and psychoanalysis