Product Description

SEPARATION, the second volume of ATTACHMENT AND LOSS, continues John Bowlby's influential work on the importance of the parental relationship to mental health. Here he considers separation and the anxiety that accompanies it: the fear of imminent or anticipated separation, the fear induced by parental threats of separation, and the inversion of the parent-child relationship. Dr Bowlby re-examines the situations that cause us to feel fear and compares them with evidence from animals. He concludes that fear is initially aroused by certain elemental situations - sudden movement, darkness or separation - which, although intrinsically harmless, are indicative of an increased risk of danger.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #95876 in Books
• Published on: 1998-02-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 504 pages

Review
The publication of Attachment and Loss will prove a turning point in the history of psychoanalysis and psychology generally.', Times Literary Supplement .'It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of Dr Bowlby's work...In practical terms, his ideas have modified and will continue to influence the rearing of children and the treatment of those who are disturbed. In theoretical terms, his contributions have given psychoanalysis a shot in the arm and a biological perspective which was sadly lacking.', Anthony Storr, Sunday Times

From the Publisher
`It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of Dr Bowlby's work' - Anthony Storr in the SUNDAY TIMES

About the Author
John Bowlby (1907 – 1900) was educated at the University of Cambridge and University College Hospital, London. After qualifying in medicine, he specialised in child psychiatry and psychoanalysis. In 1946 he joined the staff of the Tavistock Clinic where his research and influential publications contributed to far-reaching changes in the ways children are treated and to radical new thinking about the social and emotional development of human beings.
He held honorary degrees from the Universities of Cambridge and Leicester and received awards from professional and scientific bodies, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the British Paediatric Association, the American Psychological Association and the New York Academy of Medicine.

Customer Reviews

Very informative
I am currently training to be a counsellor and became interested in attachment theory after reading about Psychodynamic counselling. I believed that attachment theory could be related to my own personal experiences.

I have to admit the first few chapters were quite hard going as Bowlby talks about research and the gathering of data, but once you get to Chapter 6 and he starts talking about the findings of the studies then it becomes more interesting and easier to read.

It covers studies on adults who have lost their spouses, parents who have lost their children and carries on looking until we come to children who lose their parents.

I highly recommend this book. It is extremely interesting and I believe people in general can learn a lot from it. I will be going on to read his other volumes, most definitely.

Attachment and Loss: Separation - Anxiety and Anger v.2
Attachment and Loss by John Bowlby is probably one of the most profound books I have read on the subject for a long time. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand feelings, reactions and how to cope with the issues of abandonment, separation and loss. The book is easy to read and to understand.

Attachment Theory
A fantastic theorist who was the precursor to much of modern day psychotherapy. An essential read for those new to the field.