ABSTRACT
The emergence of attachment theory as a time historical testimony is discussed. The fresh look of the British psychiatrist John Bowlby to bring together pieces from different knowledge domains enabled a shift in perspective of looking at children’s socio emotional development. The US–Canadian psychologist specified parts of Bowlby’s conception with empirical studies leading to assessment systems for attachment security. Inconsistencies and conceptual problems were noted from early on but do not have an impact.
