kötdési

Kötődési is a Hungarian term referring to the emotional bond between a child and their caregiver. In English, this concept is known as attachment. The closest standard Hungarian term is kötődési, and it is used in psychology to describe how early relationships influence a person’s sense of security, emotion regulation, and behavior later in life.

The concept was developed by British psychologist John Bowlby and, later, American researcher Mary Ainsworth. Bowlby proposed that children are biologically prepared to form strong bonds with caregivers who are consistently responsive. Ainsworth, through the Strange Situation procedure, identified patterns of attachment that reflect different caregiving experiences. These patterns have become foundational in developmental psychology and child psychiatry.

The four primary attachment patterns are secure, anxious-ambivalent, anxious-avoidant, and disorganized/disoriented. Secure attachment emerges from reliable, sensitive caregiving and is associated with healthy exploration and emotional regulation. Insecure patterns arise from inconsistent or unresponsive care and can manifest as clinginess, withdrawal, or confusing behaviors during distress. Attachment is most evident in infancy but can influence social relationships, self-esteem, and coping strategies across the lifespan.

Cross-cultural research shows that distributions of attachment styles vary across societies, but the basic idea—that early caregiver responsiveness shapes later functioning—appears to be broadly applicable. Developmental outcomes are influenced by multiple factors, including child temperament, family stress, and broader environmental context.

Applications of attachment theory include guiding parenting interventions, improving foster and adoptive care, and informing clinical work with children and adults dealing with trauma, behavioral problems, or attachment disruptions.