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Lecture at the 15th International Scientiic Convention of the GTA at the University of Macerata, Italy
(24.-27.5.2007)
ATTACHMENT THEORY AND GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY
Katharina Sternek*
In connection with the title of the conference “Relations and Structures” I would
like to present to you some results of the research in the ield of Attachment theory
because I think that they are interesting for Gestalt psychology and Gestalt theory.
Concerning the question of whether there are parallels between Attachment theory
and Gestalt psychology I will start with something Wolfgang Metzger, a famous Ge-
stalt psychologist of the second generation, mentioned when he wrote about Adler and
the child`s need for tenderness:
“Although the child demands physical nearness and contact to its caregivers the child does
not expect some sensation of the skin in a psycho-sexual meaning. The child requires nearness,
connection, membership and holding in the sense of being with others and belonging to others
(as later described by Balint). Alfred Adler regarded this as the early and fundamental form of
the feeling of belonging to a community.” (Metzger 1977, English translation KSt).
This comes close to Fritz Künkel´s term of “We-ness” (Künkel 1974), which is
regarded by Adler as the basis for the development of psychic health. And it was Max
Wertheimer, the main founder of Gestalt theory, who has suggested already very early
in 1924 that many disturbances of mental health can be understood and should be seen
as problems of the individual in establishing, maintaining and adequately shaping his
or her connectedness to a “we”.
John Bowlby who established the Attachment theory expressed something similar
in his speech at the University of Regensburg in 1988.
“Within the attachment theory attachment is neither submitted to nutrition or sexuality nor
does it derive from there. In spite of the theory of dependence which understands the urgent
demand for comfort and support within dificult situations as infantile, the tendency to build
attachments (as the person who gives support or as the person who needs support or both) is a
fundamental aspect of a good functioning personality and therefore the basis of psychic health.”
(Bowlby 1995, English translation KSt).
Both Gestalt theory and Attachment theory emphasize the sociable nature of the
child within their considerations.
TheAttachment theory assumes that the child is born with the ability and tendency to
create attachments. The main aim of attachment is the need for a feeling of security. At
the beginning the child tries to be physically near to its caregivers to feel secure. Later
on this physical nearness changes into a psychological feeling of nearness and security.
If the child`s requirement for attachment is accepted by its caregivers in a good way, the
child will feel secure and therefore it will be encouraged to explore the environment.
Attachment theory with its dynamic and systemic approach is closely related to
Gestalt Theory. Neither of these approaches investigate the child`s behaviour in an
isolated way, but they study its behaviour in the context of, and in interaction with,
the environment. That means that they try to consider all the factors within the whole
Sternek: Attachment Theory and Gestalt Psychology 311
system. This is reminiscent of the ield theory developed by Kurt Lewin (Lewin 1963)
and the so called “life-space” in which the person and the environment are regarded
as a dynamic constellation of interdependent factors, and therefore the behaviour of
the person arises from this constellation.
With regard to Lewin, the group which one lives in provides a basis for our devel-
opment and therefore the belonging to this group inluences the behaviour of the indi-
vidual. From this point of view we can say that the experience of good early relation-
ship and bonding supports the child to develop a stable basis that later on will help the
child to deal with challenges and stress. On the other hand if the child is detached and
alone tension, frustration and anxiety will increase. The feeling of anxiety activates
attachment but it inhibits exploration and this has an impact on later development.
Based on infant research, we know that the child is able to have more than one inter-
acting partner, but in general the child prefers one main person for attachment – in most
cases this is the mother. This selection is inluenced by factors such as care, responsive-
ness, tenderness, availability, regularity and adequate stimulation and treatment.
According to Fremmer-Bombik´s description (Fremmer-Bombik 1995), Bowlby
assumes that the early experiences form a regulation-system for the affections and
emotions and so they constitute representational systems. These representational sys-
tems of the self in interaction with the others are called internal working models or
inner working models. The internal working models support the child to anticipate the
behaviour of the mother, to regulate its own behaviour, to estimate happenings and to
develop anticipation in the future.
They are conceived as dynamic models arising from the actual interactions between
child and mother. They are the basis for the development of different internal structures
and representational systems which later on inluence both perception and behaviour.
Although these internal working models tend to be stable and unconscious they are open
systems and can be inluenced – maybe by psychotherapy. For me this seems to be as
well a parallel to Lewin who regarded the life-space as a dynamic open system.
Concerning representation researchers such as Beebe, Jaffe, Lachmann, Feldstein,
Crown and Jasnow (2002) differentiated representational levels. They describe them
with regard to the memory and the organisation of social behaviour.
“Whereas the explicit (declarative) memory has to keep in mind organised information
and occurrences, the implicit memory contains emotional and procedural facts, which are not
conscious. The procedural memory refers to skills and sequences of behaviour which are not
symbolized. They are trained and happen automatically and this inluences the processes that
organize and regulate the behaviour ….. the procedural approach means that the control of
our social-behaviour is mainly not conscious, it is based on the relation between organism and
environment, so that the information to structure the behaviour is already inherent in the rela-
tion between organism and environment …… behaviour is regarded as a dynamic system, as
the result of the dynamic interaction between organism and environment which is re- organized
every moment and changes according to inluences.” (Beebe et al., 2002, 57f, English transla-
tions KSt).
Mary Ainsworth (Ainsworth et al. 1978), a noteworthy researcher in the ield of
Attachment theory observed the behaviour of children in the so-called “Strange Situ-
ation”. The experimental situation was that the one-year-old child is left alone in a
room for some minutes and then the mother comes back. The results of the observa-
Gestalt Theory, Vol. 29 (2007), No. 4
312
tions were interpreted in relation to the child`s experiences of acceptance or rejec-
tion concerning attachment. They concluded that the typical behavioural patterns of
children refer to internal working models and following main patterns of attachment
were identiied.
Secure attachment: When the mother leaves the room, the child is sad and protests
as a normal reaction to detachment. When the mother comes back it will quickly be
comforted. In general the mother is sensitive enough and supports the needs of the
child so that the child is trustful. Secure attachment is the result of a good and ade-
quate interaction. Later on this could be a supporting factor with regard to resilience.
Insecure-avoiding attachment assumes that the avoiding behaviour of the child is
the answer to rejection or neglect. A child who cannot trust in the mother´s availabil-
ity and support, shows a lack of sadness during detachment. When the mother comes
back there is less interest because the child has extremely controlled affections. This
can be regarded as a strategy of defence. On the one hand, the child´s behaviour is
seemingly normal, on the other hand one can ind a high concentration of cortisol
– a stress-hormone in the child`s saliva (personal information of Dr. Brisch within a
seminar, 2007).
(I often observed similar behaviour treating patients with psychosomatic or de-
pressive symptoms. Such patients often have problems to perceive or to express their
emotions, but they offer a lot of somatic symptoms. Here I would pose the question
whether internal working models have a long-lasting impact on the present situation
in terms of inluence on the phenomenal world of patients. If so it could have signii-
cant consequences for the psychotherapeutic treatment).
By observing insecure-ambivalent attachment one sees a desperate child who
protests strongly against detachment. The main point is that when the mother comes
back it cannot be comforted. The child shows strong emotions, perhaps to get atten-
tion from its mother. This reaction is often the result of inconsistent and unpredictable
treatment by the caregivers. The relationship experience of the child is often over-
strained and contradictory.
(In the clinical work I think this behaviour sometimes is similar to the panic be-
havioural style which is expressed, for example, by patients with anxiety disorder
or patients with borderline personality organisation. These patients suffer extremely
from real or imagined loneliness and they are often not able to regulate their emo-
tions alone).
In Ainsworth’s Strange Situation there were children who had not established a
certain working model. Although the mother returned the child seemed to be more
or less confused and behaved disorganized. Main and Hesse (Main & Hesse 2002)
explored the behaviour of disorganized children and adults. It seems logical that
disorganization often arises from a background of unstable family structure. The
parents of the disorganized child often had experiences of unresolved loss, abuse
or suffered from some kind of mental illness. Such parents risk evoking anxiety or
they are anxious themselves and this seems to make it dificult for their children to
develop a coherent working model. Disorganized behaviour is not really a stable
behavioural style. On the contrary, it is the interruption and instability of behav-
Sternek: Attachment Theory and Gestalt Psychology 313
iour and more or less the breakdown of behavioural structure. This observation is
reminiscent of Lewin`s description of regression (Lewin 1982). He distinguishes re-
gression exactly from retrogression. He said that regression is primitive behaviour,
which means less different, less organized, less coherent, less relected behaviour.
All of this shows the change in the behavioural structure in the way that there is less
complexity. According to Lewin regression arises from illness, frustration, insecu-
rity and high tension.
There exist many investigations of the connection between attachment and the af-
fect regulation. I would like to conclude simply that secure attachment refers to the
ability to regulate the affections whereas insecure attachment forces the individual to
regulate the affections too much or to regulate them less. Insecure-avoiding attach-
ment often includes the suppression of affections as a possibility to defend oneself.
Whereas insecure-ambivalent attachment often refers to a high level of affectiones
because the person is not able to calm down. In both cases the affected person often is
not able to behave according the requirement of the situation.
Today the stability of attachment classiication and the inluence on later develop-
ment is widely discussed. There exist numerous studies suggesting that disorganized
attachment refers to later psychopathology, especially to the borderline personality
disorder, which is also described by Peter Fonagy (Fonagy 2003, 2004).
In summary, one could say that, according to Attachment theory, the aim of attach-
ment is to give a secure and stable basis to support the child to explore the environ-
ment and to regulate its emotions. Furthermore, the early experiences of relationship
inluence and establish representational systems, which are called internal working
models. These internal working models are based on experiences within the phenom-
enal world and later they have an inluence on the perception of the phenomenal world
and the behaviour.
Peter Fonagy, a psychoanalyst, contributed to Attachment theory with his theory
of the “Relective Function” (Fonagy & Target 2003, Fonagy et al. 2004). His theory
is based on the observation that the child notices that human behaviour is inluenced
and motivated by psychic processes. In the irst years the child starts to regard its own
behaviour and the behaviour of others as meaningful and having some purpose and
some intention. Fonagy developed a theory of mind and uses the term relective func-
tion which is based on Daniel Dennett and his concept of intention (Dennett 1987).
Relective function/competence means that the individual has got a basic knowledge
of mental processes.
“Relective competence is a developmental achievement which is reached within the context
of close emotional interpersonal relationships in the irst ive years of personal development.
This allows the individual to develop a rich inner world of mental representation concerning
oneself, others and the interaction...” (Reinke 2003, 7, English Translation KSt).
Fonagy maintains that the quality of attachment and early relationship is not only
important for the development of relective function but also for affect-regulation
and the development of the psychic self (Fonagy et al. 2004). For Peter Fonagy the
relective function or “mentalization” includes both cognition and affect. Concerning
the ability to regulate affect, he distinguishes two forms of affect regulation: namely
a simple and a complex one. The simple form of affect regulation is based on the idea
Gestalt Theory, Vol. 29 (2007), No. 4
314
that there must be a mother to help the baby to regulate affections in the sense of a
co-regulation. Whereas the complex form of affect regulation means that the develop-
ment of the relective function supports the child in learning to regulate itself. Fonagy
also emphasizes that the relective competence of the mother is particularly important
for the development of the child´s relective function and the development of its
psychic self. This competence allows the mother not only to understand the child`s
behaviour but also to respect the underlying mental state of the child. By respecting
the child as an individual with intention the mother fosters the development of the
child`s relective competence.
This description its well to my understanding of the Gestalt-theoretical approach
in the therapeutic setting. In the process of exploring the phenomenal world we en-
courage our patients to perceive and understand their affections, thoughts and inten-
tions. In this sense we also support the perception and the development of the self.
For the development of the relective function within the interaction between child
and mother Fonagy describes two processes which are important: the connection of
representations (representational mapping) and the representation of rational action
(Fonagy & Target 2003, 36). Within the interaction with the mother the child builds
representations and develops the ability to adapt its own affectionate state with the
mother`s affection by trying to share experiences with her. Fonagy wrote:
“According to Gergely and Watson (1996) the representation of the inner affection of the
child is built in the process of “mirroring – interaction” between child and mother.” (Fongay &
Target 2003, 37, English translation KSt).
If the mother is empathic enough she can interpret and even modify the affection-
ate signal of the child. The child can learn to organize itself because the representa-
tion of the child`s expression by the mother can be connected with the representa-
tion of the self. Fonagy concludes that the mirroring of the mother represents a
meta-representation of the child`s experience and plays a decisive role in the child`s
organization. He predicts that if either the answer of the mother is too near or too far
from the child`s experience then the process of mirroring fails. If the child`s signal
is inadequately mirrored by the mother then the child cannot build a certain repre-
sentation. In contrast, if the mirroring is too strong then the child is confronted with
a strong affection because this affection is not regulated and symbolized enough to
calm the child.
I think that these assumptions are useful to understand what happens within the
clinical work treating patients who show a low tolerance to stress and have a tendency
to be anxious. With regard to Lewin (Lewin 1982), the tension in their life-space is
high, followed by regression and the inability to relect and behave adequately. From
my point of view they need more “phenomenal distance” concerning their experienc-
es. Psychotherapy can support such patients to develop more relective competence
and affect regulation. (Concerning the clinical work Fonagy (Fonagy 2004, 436-468)
describes some interesting case studies.)
To develop the relective function Fonagy maintains that the child also needs a
logical structure to understand and interpret behaviour. It needs representations of
expected states and therefore it is relevant that the caregivers show a logical and
foreseeable behaviour. By observing the behaviour of disorganized children and
Sternek: Attachment Theory and Gestalt Psychology 315
adults Main (Main 1995) found out that disorganized children often have problems
interpreting the parent`s behaviour and so they cannot develop coherent behavioural
structures. If the parent`s behaviour is frightened or frightening the child often can-
not differentiate whether it is the source of the parent´s behaviour or not. Some
children start to observe and control their parent`s behaviour at the cost of having
less energy for their own development. (I believe that this aspect has parallels for
the treatment of patients in that it also requires a reliable, clear and transparent
therapeutic relationship.)
According to Attachment theory one can agree that the responsiveness and empa-
thy of the parents are main factors for the development of secure attachment and the
development of the relective competence. Within the early interactions between child
and parents, the parent`s attribution of the motive of intention is extremely important
for the child because this promotes the development of the relective function and the
development of the psychic self.
One can summarize that good early relationship and secure attachment supports the
development of the relective competence whereas the development of the relective
function is inhibited or fails altogether if the relationship is traumatic, hostile or empty.
At this point, I would like to reiterate that the new researches in the ield of Attach-
ment theory and relective competence are interesting and useful for Gestalt-theoreti-
cal psychotherapy.
The most important parallel to Gestalt psychology is that they all emphasize the
importance of interaction and relationship for development and psychic health or its
failure to develop. This idea refers to a lot of Gestalt-theoretical contributions which
one can read in Gerhard Stemberger`s edition: “Psychische Störungen im Ich-Welt-
Verhältnis”, where Stemberger wrote:
“The starting point is that relationships to others are important for the relation between the
individual and the world. According to this interpretation not all, but a lot of psychic diseases
are the result of an imbalance between the individual and the others.”(Stemberger 2002, 19f,
English translation KSt).
The systemic and dynamic approach of Attachment theory comes close to Gestalt
theory because they consider the child`s experience and behaviour in the context of
the whole situation. Concerning early interactions between the child and the mother
they explore the dynamic interdependence between the interactions and the develop-
ment of mental structures and its inluence on the structure of the phenomenal world.
Attachment theory and Gestalt theory are also compatible in their epistemological
approach because both emphasize the necessity of the exploration of phenomenal
processes without confusing them with trans- phenomenal aspects.
Concerning the results of Attachment theory I think that early relationships have
an inluence on the structure of perception and behaviour. In this context I would
like to mention Lewin`s concept of the perspective of time and Koffka`s system of
imprints.
Lewin: “Behaviour is not only inluenced by the psychological present, but also by expec-
tations, wishes and fears concerning the future and the knowledge of the past. Psychological
present, psychological past and psychological future are main parts of the life-space of the
individual at any given moment.” (Lewin 1982, 309, English translation KSt).
Gestalt Theory, Vol. 29 (2007), No. 4
316
Koffka: ”One assumes an imprint of the past which represents the past in the present and one
assumes a current process which refers to this imprint and therefore a new process of recogni-
tion and reproduction starts (compare Lewin`s perspective of time). This system of imprints is
organized and it changes according to principles of Gestalt-Theory like the principle Prägnanz.“
(Koffka 1935, cited from Walter 1985, 50, English translation KSt).
It could be interesting to observe in which way those models have an inluence on
the structure and dynamic in the life-space of a person if similar conditions exist. For
example: There are a lot of patients who are successful in some areas of their lives
but have problems with near relationships because these intimate relationships trig-
ger their attachment-system. Within psychotherapy it could be useful to understand
the internal working models of our patients, especially for the exploration of past and
current relationships. This aspect also includes the relection and understanding of the
relationship between patient and psychotherapist.
Also the assumptions about the connection between attachment, relective function
and affect regulation could be useful for clinical work because we often have to treat
patients who need our support to perceive and to regulate their affections. This means
we often have to support them to develop more affect regulation and more relective
competence.
As a practical psychotherapist I ask myself whether theories are important and make
sense for my psychotherapeutic understanding and behaviour. Walter refers to Kurt
Lewin and his description of the constructive method for a theory of personality:
“According to Lewin a theory is constructive when the method helps to understand phenom-
ena in the context of the individual and his environment instead of outer classiication. There-
fore the whole creative process has to be understood .…. A theory of personality has to be at the
same time a theory which describes processes of development, maturation and psychic growth.
And therefore it has to be a theory about developmental changes and the therapeutic inluence
on such processes to be relevant.” (Walter 1985, 74, English translation KSt).
Attachment theory and the theory of relective function are signiicant because
they help us to understand more about interactive processes and their inluence on
the development of the individual. As a Gestalt-theoretical psychotherapist I feel it is
particularly important to create an atmosphere of security and recognition within the
psychotherapeutic relationship in order to encourage patients to explore themselves,
others and their phenomenal world.
Summary
The basic Gestalt theory assumption that human relationships are important for development
is reinforced by observations made in attachment theory.
Bowlby regards attachment as a fundamental human requirement which corresponds to the
need to belong to a community as described by numerous Gestalt theorists (such as Metzger,
Wertheimer, Lewin a.o.). Results of attachment theory research suggest that experiences of
attachment and relationship in early childhood inluence the development of mental structure
which Bowlby refers to as an “Internal working model”. That means that attachment experi-
ences produce images which affect the perception and handling of later relationships. Fonagy
expands on attachment theory by using the “Theory of the Relective Function”. He assumes
that the relective function builds the basis for a consciousness of the psychological self and
inluences cognition and affection.
Sternek: Attachment Theory and Gestalt Psychology 317
Zusammenfassung
Die Betonung der Wichtigkeit menschlicher Beziehungen von seiten der Gestalttheorie
wird durch Beobachtungen der Bindungsforschung untermauert. Bowlby betrachtet Bindung
als grundlegendes menschliches BedĂźrfnis, was dem von etlichen Gestalttheoretikern (z.B.
Metzger, Wertheimer, Lewin u. a.) beschriebenem BedĂźrfnis nach ZugehĂśrigkeit zu einer
Gemeinschaft bzw. Gruppe verwandt ist. Ergebnisse der Bindungsforschung belegen, dass
frühkindliche Beziehungserfahrungen die Basis für die Bildung „Innerer Arbeitsmodelle“ dar-
stellen und dahingehend die Entwicklung mentaler Strukturen beeinlussen. Fonagy trägt mit
dem Konzept der „Relexiven Funktion“ maßgeblich zur Erweiterung der Bindungstheorie bei
indem er darstellt, welche bedeutende Rolle diese Funktion sowohl fĂźr die Entwicklung des
Selbst als auch fĂźr die Affektregulierung besitzt.
References
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rhythmus und Bindung. In K. H. Brisch et al. (Hg) (2002): Bindung und seelische Entwicklungswege.
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Bowlby, J. (1988/1995): Bindung: Historische Wurzeln . In Spangler, G. & Zimmermann, P. (Hg.) (1995):
Die Bindungstheorie, 17-26. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta.
Brisch, K. H.; K. E. Grossmann, K. Grossmann, L. KĂśhler (Hg.) (2002): Bindung und seelische Entwick-
lungswege. Grundlagen, Prävention und klinische Praxis. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta.
Dennett, D. C. (1987): The intentional stance. Cambridge (MIT Press).
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und Bindungsforschung. Gießen: Psychosozial-Verlag.
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(1995): Die Bindungstheorie, 109-119. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta.
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chologie. Osterwieck: Zickfeldt (1925). Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgemeinschaft (1966).
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gemeinschaft.
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Schulte”. Gestalt Theory 8, 230-255.
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F. E. Weinert u. H. Gundlach. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta.
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Huber.
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Die Bindungstheorie, 120-139. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta.
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senen. In Brisch et al., (Hg) (2002): Bindung und seelische Entwicklungswege. Grundlagen, Prävention
und klinische Praxis, 219-248. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta.
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Reinke, E. (2003):Vorwort: Relexive Kompetenz. In P. Fonagy & M. Target (2003): FrĂźhe Bindung und
psychische Entwicklung. Beiträge aus Psychoanalyse und Bindungsforschung, 7-28. Gießen: Psycho-
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Schulte, H. (1924): Versuch einer Theorie der paranoischen Eigenbeziehung und Wahnbildung. Psycholo-
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Stemberger, G. (Hg.) (2002): StÜrungen im Ich-Welt-Verhältnis. Gestalttheorie und psychotherapeutische
Krankheitslehre. Wien: Krammer.
Walter, H. J. (1985): Gestalttheorie und Psychotherapie. 2. Aulage. Opladen: Westdeutscher Verlag.
Address of the Author:
Katharina Sternek
1140 Wien
SMZ - Baumgartner HĂśhe
3. Psychiatr. Abteilung, Pav. 21
sternek@aon.at

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Attachment Theory And Gestalt Psychology 2007

  • 1. * Lecture at the 15th International Scientiic Convention of the GTA at the University of Macerata, Italy (24.-27.5.2007) ATTACHMENT THEORY AND GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY Katharina Sternek* In connection with the title of the conference “Relations and Structures” I would like to present to you some results of the research in the ield of Attachment theory because I think that they are interesting for Gestalt psychology and Gestalt theory. Concerning the question of whether there are parallels between Attachment theory and Gestalt psychology I will start with something Wolfgang Metzger, a famous Ge- stalt psychologist of the second generation, mentioned when he wrote about Adler and the child`s need for tenderness: “Although the child demands physical nearness and contact to its caregivers the child does not expect some sensation of the skin in a psycho-sexual meaning. The child requires nearness, connection, membership and holding in the sense of being with others and belonging to others (as later described by Balint). Alfred Adler regarded this as the early and fundamental form of the feeling of belonging to a community.” (Metzger 1977, English translation KSt). This comes close to Fritz KĂźnkel´s term of “We-ness” (KĂźnkel 1974), which is regarded by Adler as the basis for the development of psychic health. And it was Max Wertheimer, the main founder of Gestalt theory, who has suggested already very early in 1924 that many disturbances of mental health can be understood and should be seen as problems of the individual in establishing, maintaining and adequately shaping his or her connectedness to a “we”. John Bowlby who established the Attachment theory expressed something similar in his speech at the University of Regensburg in 1988. “Within the attachment theory attachment is neither submitted to nutrition or sexuality nor does it derive from there. In spite of the theory of dependence which understands the urgent demand for comfort and support within dificult situations as infantile, the tendency to build attachments (as the person who gives support or as the person who needs support or both) is a fundamental aspect of a good functioning personality and therefore the basis of psychic health.” (Bowlby 1995, English translation KSt). Both Gestalt theory and Attachment theory emphasize the sociable nature of the child within their considerations. TheAttachment theory assumes that the child is born with the ability and tendency to create attachments. The main aim of attachment is the need for a feeling of security. At the beginning the child tries to be physically near to its caregivers to feel secure. Later on this physical nearness changes into a psychological feeling of nearness and security. If the child`s requirement for attachment is accepted by its caregivers in a good way, the child will feel secure and therefore it will be encouraged to explore the environment. Attachment theory with its dynamic and systemic approach is closely related to Gestalt Theory. Neither of these approaches investigate the child`s behaviour in an isolated way, but they study its behaviour in the context of, and in interaction with, the environment. That means that they try to consider all the factors within the whole
  • 2. Sternek: Attachment Theory and Gestalt Psychology 311 system. This is reminiscent of the ield theory developed by Kurt Lewin (Lewin 1963) and the so called “life-space” in which the person and the environment are regarded as a dynamic constellation of interdependent factors, and therefore the behaviour of the person arises from this constellation. With regard to Lewin, the group which one lives in provides a basis for our devel- opment and therefore the belonging to this group inluences the behaviour of the indi- vidual. From this point of view we can say that the experience of good early relation- ship and bonding supports the child to develop a stable basis that later on will help the child to deal with challenges and stress. On the other hand if the child is detached and alone tension, frustration and anxiety will increase. The feeling of anxiety activates attachment but it inhibits exploration and this has an impact on later development. Based on infant research, we know that the child is able to have more than one inter- acting partner, but in general the child prefers one main person for attachment – in most cases this is the mother. This selection is inluenced by factors such as care, responsive- ness, tenderness, availability, regularity and adequate stimulation and treatment. According to Fremmer-Bombik´s description (Fremmer-Bombik 1995), Bowlby assumes that the early experiences form a regulation-system for the affections and emotions and so they constitute representational systems. These representational sys- tems of the self in interaction with the others are called internal working models or inner working models. The internal working models support the child to anticipate the behaviour of the mother, to regulate its own behaviour, to estimate happenings and to develop anticipation in the future. They are conceived as dynamic models arising from the actual interactions between child and mother. They are the basis for the development of different internal structures and representational systems which later on inluence both perception and behaviour. Although these internal working models tend to be stable and unconscious they are open systems and can be inluenced – maybe by psychotherapy. For me this seems to be as well a parallel to Lewin who regarded the life-space as a dynamic open system. Concerning representation researchers such as Beebe, Jaffe, Lachmann, Feldstein, Crown and Jasnow (2002) differentiated representational levels. They describe them with regard to the memory and the organisation of social behaviour. “Whereas the explicit (declarative) memory has to keep in mind organised information and occurrences, the implicit memory contains emotional and procedural facts, which are not conscious. The procedural memory refers to skills and sequences of behaviour which are not symbolized. They are trained and happen automatically and this inluences the processes that organize and regulate the behaviour ….. the procedural approach means that the control of our social-behaviour is mainly not conscious, it is based on the relation between organism and environment, so that the information to structure the behaviour is already inherent in the rela- tion between organism and environment …… behaviour is regarded as a dynamic system, as the result of the dynamic interaction between organism and environment which is re- organized every moment and changes according to inluences.” (Beebe et al., 2002, 57f, English transla- tions KSt). Mary Ainsworth (Ainsworth et al. 1978), a noteworthy researcher in the ield of Attachment theory observed the behaviour of children in the so-called “Strange Situ- ation”. The experimental situation was that the one-year-old child is left alone in a room for some minutes and then the mother comes back. The results of the observa-
  • 3. Gestalt Theory, Vol. 29 (2007), No. 4 312 tions were interpreted in relation to the child`s experiences of acceptance or rejec- tion concerning attachment. They concluded that the typical behavioural patterns of children refer to internal working models and following main patterns of attachment were identiied. Secure attachment: When the mother leaves the room, the child is sad and protests as a normal reaction to detachment. When the mother comes back it will quickly be comforted. In general the mother is sensitive enough and supports the needs of the child so that the child is trustful. Secure attachment is the result of a good and ade- quate interaction. Later on this could be a supporting factor with regard to resilience. Insecure-avoiding attachment assumes that the avoiding behaviour of the child is the answer to rejection or neglect. A child who cannot trust in the mother´s availabil- ity and support, shows a lack of sadness during detachment. When the mother comes back there is less interest because the child has extremely controlled affections. This can be regarded as a strategy of defence. On the one hand, the child´s behaviour is seemingly normal, on the other hand one can ind a high concentration of cortisol – a stress-hormone in the child`s saliva (personal information of Dr. Brisch within a seminar, 2007). (I often observed similar behaviour treating patients with psychosomatic or de- pressive symptoms. Such patients often have problems to perceive or to express their emotions, but they offer a lot of somatic symptoms. Here I would pose the question whether internal working models have a long-lasting impact on the present situation in terms of inluence on the phenomenal world of patients. If so it could have signii- cant consequences for the psychotherapeutic treatment). By observing insecure-ambivalent attachment one sees a desperate child who protests strongly against detachment. The main point is that when the mother comes back it cannot be comforted. The child shows strong emotions, perhaps to get atten- tion from its mother. This reaction is often the result of inconsistent and unpredictable treatment by the caregivers. The relationship experience of the child is often over- strained and contradictory. (In the clinical work I think this behaviour sometimes is similar to the panic be- havioural style which is expressed, for example, by patients with anxiety disorder or patients with borderline personality organisation. These patients suffer extremely from real or imagined loneliness and they are often not able to regulate their emo- tions alone). In Ainsworth’s Strange Situation there were children who had not established a certain working model. Although the mother returned the child seemed to be more or less confused and behaved disorganized. Main and Hesse (Main & Hesse 2002) explored the behaviour of disorganized children and adults. It seems logical that disorganization often arises from a background of unstable family structure. The parents of the disorganized child often had experiences of unresolved loss, abuse or suffered from some kind of mental illness. Such parents risk evoking anxiety or they are anxious themselves and this seems to make it dificult for their children to develop a coherent working model. Disorganized behaviour is not really a stable behavioural style. On the contrary, it is the interruption and instability of behav-
  • 4. Sternek: Attachment Theory and Gestalt Psychology 313 iour and more or less the breakdown of behavioural structure. This observation is reminiscent of Lewin`s description of regression (Lewin 1982). He distinguishes re- gression exactly from retrogression. He said that regression is primitive behaviour, which means less different, less organized, less coherent, less relected behaviour. All of this shows the change in the behavioural structure in the way that there is less complexity. According to Lewin regression arises from illness, frustration, insecu- rity and high tension. There exist many investigations of the connection between attachment and the af- fect regulation. I would like to conclude simply that secure attachment refers to the ability to regulate the affections whereas insecure attachment forces the individual to regulate the affections too much or to regulate them less. Insecure-avoiding attach- ment often includes the suppression of affections as a possibility to defend oneself. Whereas insecure-ambivalent attachment often refers to a high level of affectiones because the person is not able to calm down. In both cases the affected person often is not able to behave according the requirement of the situation. Today the stability of attachment classiication and the inluence on later develop- ment is widely discussed. There exist numerous studies suggesting that disorganized attachment refers to later psychopathology, especially to the borderline personality disorder, which is also described by Peter Fonagy (Fonagy 2003, 2004). In summary, one could say that, according to Attachment theory, the aim of attach- ment is to give a secure and stable basis to support the child to explore the environ- ment and to regulate its emotions. Furthermore, the early experiences of relationship inluence and establish representational systems, which are called internal working models. These internal working models are based on experiences within the phenom- enal world and later they have an inluence on the perception of the phenomenal world and the behaviour. Peter Fonagy, a psychoanalyst, contributed to Attachment theory with his theory of the “Relective Function” (Fonagy & Target 2003, Fonagy et al. 2004). His theory is based on the observation that the child notices that human behaviour is inluenced and motivated by psychic processes. In the irst years the child starts to regard its own behaviour and the behaviour of others as meaningful and having some purpose and some intention. Fonagy developed a theory of mind and uses the term relective func- tion which is based on Daniel Dennett and his concept of intention (Dennett 1987). Relective function/competence means that the individual has got a basic knowledge of mental processes. “Relective competence is a developmental achievement which is reached within the context of close emotional interpersonal relationships in the irst ive years of personal development. This allows the individual to develop a rich inner world of mental representation concerning oneself, others and the interaction...” (Reinke 2003, 7, English Translation KSt). Fonagy maintains that the quality of attachment and early relationship is not only important for the development of relective function but also for affect-regulation and the development of the psychic self (Fonagy et al. 2004). For Peter Fonagy the relective function or “mentalization” includes both cognition and affect. Concerning the ability to regulate affect, he distinguishes two forms of affect regulation: namely a simple and a complex one. The simple form of affect regulation is based on the idea
  • 5. Gestalt Theory, Vol. 29 (2007), No. 4 314 that there must be a mother to help the baby to regulate affections in the sense of a co-regulation. Whereas the complex form of affect regulation means that the develop- ment of the relective function supports the child in learning to regulate itself. Fonagy also emphasizes that the relective competence of the mother is particularly important for the development of the child´s relective function and the development of its psychic self. This competence allows the mother not only to understand the child`s behaviour but also to respect the underlying mental state of the child. By respecting the child as an individual with intention the mother fosters the development of the child`s relective competence. This description its well to my understanding of the Gestalt-theoretical approach in the therapeutic setting. In the process of exploring the phenomenal world we en- courage our patients to perceive and understand their affections, thoughts and inten- tions. In this sense we also support the perception and the development of the self. For the development of the relective function within the interaction between child and mother Fonagy describes two processes which are important: the connection of representations (representational mapping) and the representation of rational action (Fonagy & Target 2003, 36). Within the interaction with the mother the child builds representations and develops the ability to adapt its own affectionate state with the mother`s affection by trying to share experiences with her. Fonagy wrote: “According to Gergely and Watson (1996) the representation of the inner affection of the child is built in the process of “mirroring – interaction” between child and mother.” (Fongay & Target 2003, 37, English translation KSt). If the mother is empathic enough she can interpret and even modify the affection- ate signal of the child. The child can learn to organize itself because the representa- tion of the child`s expression by the mother can be connected with the representa- tion of the self. Fonagy concludes that the mirroring of the mother represents a meta-representation of the child`s experience and plays a decisive role in the child`s organization. He predicts that if either the answer of the mother is too near or too far from the child`s experience then the process of mirroring fails. If the child`s signal is inadequately mirrored by the mother then the child cannot build a certain repre- sentation. In contrast, if the mirroring is too strong then the child is confronted with a strong affection because this affection is not regulated and symbolized enough to calm the child. I think that these assumptions are useful to understand what happens within the clinical work treating patients who show a low tolerance to stress and have a tendency to be anxious. With regard to Lewin (Lewin 1982), the tension in their life-space is high, followed by regression and the inability to relect and behave adequately. From my point of view they need more “phenomenal distance” concerning their experienc- es. Psychotherapy can support such patients to develop more relective competence and affect regulation. (Concerning the clinical work Fonagy (Fonagy 2004, 436-468) describes some interesting case studies.) To develop the relective function Fonagy maintains that the child also needs a logical structure to understand and interpret behaviour. It needs representations of expected states and therefore it is relevant that the caregivers show a logical and foreseeable behaviour. By observing the behaviour of disorganized children and
  • 6. Sternek: Attachment Theory and Gestalt Psychology 315 adults Main (Main 1995) found out that disorganized children often have problems interpreting the parent`s behaviour and so they cannot develop coherent behavioural structures. If the parent`s behaviour is frightened or frightening the child often can- not differentiate whether it is the source of the parent´s behaviour or not. Some children start to observe and control their parent`s behaviour at the cost of having less energy for their own development. (I believe that this aspect has parallels for the treatment of patients in that it also requires a reliable, clear and transparent therapeutic relationship.) According to Attachment theory one can agree that the responsiveness and empa- thy of the parents are main factors for the development of secure attachment and the development of the relective competence. Within the early interactions between child and parents, the parent`s attribution of the motive of intention is extremely important for the child because this promotes the development of the relective function and the development of the psychic self. One can summarize that good early relationship and secure attachment supports the development of the relective competence whereas the development of the relective function is inhibited or fails altogether if the relationship is traumatic, hostile or empty. At this point, I would like to reiterate that the new researches in the ield of Attach- ment theory and relective competence are interesting and useful for Gestalt-theoreti- cal psychotherapy. The most important parallel to Gestalt psychology is that they all emphasize the importance of interaction and relationship for development and psychic health or its failure to develop. This idea refers to a lot of Gestalt-theoretical contributions which one can read in Gerhard Stemberger`s edition: “Psychische StĂśrungen im Ich-Welt- Verhältnis”, where Stemberger wrote: “The starting point is that relationships to others are important for the relation between the individual and the world. According to this interpretation not all, but a lot of psychic diseases are the result of an imbalance between the individual and the others.”(Stemberger 2002, 19f, English translation KSt). The systemic and dynamic approach of Attachment theory comes close to Gestalt theory because they consider the child`s experience and behaviour in the context of the whole situation. Concerning early interactions between the child and the mother they explore the dynamic interdependence between the interactions and the develop- ment of mental structures and its inluence on the structure of the phenomenal world. Attachment theory and Gestalt theory are also compatible in their epistemological approach because both emphasize the necessity of the exploration of phenomenal processes without confusing them with trans- phenomenal aspects. Concerning the results of Attachment theory I think that early relationships have an inluence on the structure of perception and behaviour. In this context I would like to mention Lewin`s concept of the perspective of time and Koffka`s system of imprints. Lewin: “Behaviour is not only inluenced by the psychological present, but also by expec- tations, wishes and fears concerning the future and the knowledge of the past. Psychological present, psychological past and psychological future are main parts of the life-space of the individual at any given moment.” (Lewin 1982, 309, English translation KSt).
  • 7. Gestalt Theory, Vol. 29 (2007), No. 4 316 Koffka: ”One assumes an imprint of the past which represents the past in the present and one assumes a current process which refers to this imprint and therefore a new process of recogni- tion and reproduction starts (compare Lewin`s perspective of time). This system of imprints is organized and it changes according to principles of Gestalt-Theory like the principle Prägnanz.“ (Koffka 1935, cited from Walter 1985, 50, English translation KSt). It could be interesting to observe in which way those models have an inluence on the structure and dynamic in the life-space of a person if similar conditions exist. For example: There are a lot of patients who are successful in some areas of their lives but have problems with near relationships because these intimate relationships trig- ger their attachment-system. Within psychotherapy it could be useful to understand the internal working models of our patients, especially for the exploration of past and current relationships. This aspect also includes the relection and understanding of the relationship between patient and psychotherapist. Also the assumptions about the connection between attachment, relective function and affect regulation could be useful for clinical work because we often have to treat patients who need our support to perceive and to regulate their affections. This means we often have to support them to develop more affect regulation and more relective competence. As a practical psychotherapist I ask myself whether theories are important and make sense for my psychotherapeutic understanding and behaviour. Walter refers to Kurt Lewin and his description of the constructive method for a theory of personality: “According to Lewin a theory is constructive when the method helps to understand phenom- ena in the context of the individual and his environment instead of outer classiication. There- fore the whole creative process has to be understood .…. A theory of personality has to be at the same time a theory which describes processes of development, maturation and psychic growth. And therefore it has to be a theory about developmental changes and the therapeutic inluence on such processes to be relevant.” (Walter 1985, 74, English translation KSt). Attachment theory and the theory of relective function are signiicant because they help us to understand more about interactive processes and their inluence on the development of the individual. As a Gestalt-theoretical psychotherapist I feel it is particularly important to create an atmosphere of security and recognition within the psychotherapeutic relationship in order to encourage patients to explore themselves, others and their phenomenal world. Summary The basic Gestalt theory assumption that human relationships are important for development is reinforced by observations made in attachment theory. Bowlby regards attachment as a fundamental human requirement which corresponds to the need to belong to a community as described by numerous Gestalt theorists (such as Metzger, Wertheimer, Lewin a.o.). Results of attachment theory research suggest that experiences of attachment and relationship in early childhood inluence the development of mental structure which Bowlby refers to as an “Internal working model”. That means that attachment experi- ences produce images which affect the perception and handling of later relationships. Fonagy expands on attachment theory by using the “Theory of the Relective Function”. He assumes that the relective function builds the basis for a consciousness of the psychological self and inluences cognition and affection.
  • 8. Sternek: Attachment Theory and Gestalt Psychology 317 Zusammenfassung Die Betonung der Wichtigkeit menschlicher Beziehungen von seiten der Gestalttheorie wird durch Beobachtungen der Bindungsforschung untermauert. Bowlby betrachtet Bindung als grundlegendes menschliches BedĂźrfnis, was dem von etlichen Gestalttheoretikern (z.B. Metzger, Wertheimer, Lewin u. a.) beschriebenem BedĂźrfnis nach ZugehĂśrigkeit zu einer Gemeinschaft bzw. Gruppe verwandt ist. Ergebnisse der Bindungsforschung belegen, dass frĂźhkindliche Beziehungserfahrungen die Basis fĂźr die Bildung „Innerer Arbeitsmodelle“ dar- stellen und dahingehend die Entwicklung mentaler Strukturen beeinlussen. Fonagy trägt mit dem Konzept der „Relexiven Funktion“ maßgeblich zur Erweiterung der Bindungstheorie bei indem er darstellt, welche bedeutende Rolle diese Funktion sowohl fĂźr die Entwicklung des Selbst als auch fĂźr die Affektregulierung besitzt. References Ainsworth, M.D.S., Blehar, M.C., Waters, E. & Wallis, S. (1978): Patterns of Attachment: A Psychological Study of the Strange Situation. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Beebe, B., Jaffe, J., Lachmann, F., Feldstein, S., Crown, C., Jasnow, M.(2002): Koordination von Sprach- rhythmus und Bindung. In K. H. Brisch et al. (Hg) (2002): Bindung und seelische Entwicklungswege. Grundlagen, Prävention und klinische Praxis, 47-85. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta. Bowlby, J. (1988/1995): Bindung: Historische Wurzeln . In Spangler, G. & Zimmermann, P. (Hg.) (1995): Die Bindungstheorie, 17-26. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta. Brisch, K. H.; K. E. Grossmann, K. Grossmann, L. KĂśhler (Hg.) (2002): Bindung und seelische Entwick- lungswege. Grundlagen, Prävention und klinische Praxis. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta. Dennett, D. C. (1987): The intentional stance. Cambridge (MIT Press). Fonagy, P. & Target, M. (2003): FrĂźhe Bindung und psychische Entwicklung. Beiträge aus Psychoanalyse und Bindungsforschung. Gießen: Psychosozial-Verlag. Fonagy, P.; Gergely, G.; Jurist, E. L.; Target, M. (2004): Affektregulierung, Mentalisierung und die Entwick- lung des Selbst. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta. Fonagy, P. (2003): Bindungstheorie und Psychoanalyse. Stuttgart. Klett-Cotta. Fremmer-Bombik, E. (1995): Innere Arbeitsmodelle von Bindung. In Spangler, G. & Zimmermann, P. (Hg) (1995): Die Bindungstheorie, 109-119. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta. Gergely, G. & Watson, J. (1996): The social biofeedback model of parental affect-mirroring. International Journal of Psychoanalysis 77, 1181-1212. Koffka, K. (1935): Principles of Gestalt Psychology. New York: Harcourt. Koffka, K. (1925/1966): Die Grundlagen der psychischen Entwicklung. Eine EinfĂźhrung in die Kinderpsy- chologie. Osterwieck: Zickfeldt (1925). Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgemeinschaft (1966). KĂźnkel, F. (1974): Das Wir. Die Grundbegriffe der Wir-Psychologie. Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buch- gemeinschaft. Levy, E. (1986): A Gestalt Theory of Paranoia. Introduction, Comment and Translation of “Heinrich Schulte”. Gestalt Theory 8, 230-255. Lewin, K. (1982): Psychologie der Entwicklung und der Erziehung. Kurt Lewin Werkausgabe Band 6. Hg: F. E. Weinert u. H. Gundlach. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta. Lewin, K (1963): Feldtheorie in den Sozialwissenschaften. Ausgewählte theoretische Schriften. Bern: Hans Huber. Main, M. (1995): Desorganisation im Bindungsverhalten. In Spangler, G. & Zimmermann, P. (Hg) (1995): Die Bindungstheorie, 120-139. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta. Main, M. & Hesse H. (2002): Desorganisiertes Bindungsverhalten bei Kleinkindern, Kindern und Erwach- senen. In Brisch et al., (Hg) (2002): Bindung und seelische Entwicklungswege. Grundlagen, Prävention und klinische Praxis, 219-248. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta. Metzger, W. (1977): Adler als Autor. In M. Stadler & H. Crabus (Hg.) (1986): Gestalt-Psychologie. Ausge- wählte Werke aus den Jahren 1950-1982,487-493. Frankfurt: Waldemar-Kramer.
  • 9. Gestalt Theory, Vol. 29 (2007), No. 4 318 Reinke, E. (2003):Vorwort: Relexive Kompetenz. In P. Fonagy & M. Target (2003): FrĂźhe Bindung und psychische Entwicklung. Beiträge aus Psychoanalyse und Bindungsforschung, 7-28. Gießen: Psycho- sozial-Verlag. Schulte, H. (1924): Versuch einer Theorie der paranoischen Eigenbeziehung und Wahnbildung. Psycholo- gische Forschung 5, 1-123. Full English translation: Levy 1986. Spangler, G. & Zimmermann, P. (Hg. 1995): Die Bindungstheorie. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta. Stemberger, G. (Hg.) (2002): StĂśrungen im Ich-Welt-Verhältnis. Gestalttheorie und psychotherapeutische Krankheitslehre. Wien: Krammer. Walter, H. J. (1985): Gestalttheorie und Psychotherapie. 2. Aulage. Opladen: Westdeutscher Verlag. Address of the Author: Katharina Sternek 1140 Wien SMZ - Baumgartner HĂśhe 3. Psychiatr. Abteilung, Pav. 21 sternek@aon.at