Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: A fascinating, beautifully written book on a complex subject. While definitely academic in tone, Karen does an excellent job keeping things easy for the casual reader to grasp. I feel like I learned so much, not just about my new baby, but myself.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best book about psychology that I have ever read
Review: and I am a psychologist with over 20 years of clinical experience. Karen does a remarkable job of integrating research findings with psychoanalytic theory and clinical stories (including some from his life). He also tells some interesting stories about the key figures in the evolution of this field of knowledge. I have recommended this book to my clients and my colleagues. If I were to write a book, this is the one I would like to write.
Rating:
Summary: Transaction, loving, and work relationships - not equal
Review: Attachment theory that fails to distinguish the fact that each relationship carries with it the potential to be good or bad from the perspective of the participants will always fail. Rarely are the number of interactions or expectations of those interactions classified into the full context of human relations that define futures as well as pasts, but recognition of the importance of the quality of attachments is becoming more common. As myths are dispelled, we may yet enter the simplistic world of the child or the animal to whom such theories are very simple, and who operate upon the wealth of information they comprehend that so many adults make difficult.
Rating:
Summary: Why Man is not a One Size Fits All Concept
Review: Because there are exceptional attachments of sons to mothers and visa verse, it's safe to suggest that just like there are different kinds of moms, there will be different kinds of sons. Although society does not necessarily appreciate that fact, and illustrate it well, women have long known that one size does not fit all with respect to manliness and that men should feel free to be the ideal persons they want to be, and appreciated for that decision. Finding a mate who is symbiotic enough to cultivate a relationship with such a man would provide the potential to have more long lasting relationships than currently exist in many cases. Since attitudes and phychological differences are likely to be as important as gender differences, compound insensitivity is necessarily a higher risk. With that knowledge, it's possible to return to the era of individual appraisal of individual qualities rather than to attempt to congregate and rate ideal qualities in each human being. It's also more fun!
Rating:
Summary: Becoming Attached: Reviewed By Karen Jean Matsko Hood, M.A.
Review: Book Review
Book Reviewer: Karen Jean Matsko Hood
Doctoral Student in the Leadership Studies Program at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington; working to complete her Ph.D. degree in Leadership Studies.
Title of Book
Reviewed: Becoming Attached: First Relationship and How they Shape Our Children
Subtitle of Book
Reviewed: N/A
Author of Book: Robert Karen, Ph.D.
Publisher of
Book Reviewed: Oxford Universities Press, New York and Oxford
Year of Book
Copyright: 1998
Book Review: This four hundred and ninety page psychology book is a useful collection of information regarding the process of attachment. Attachment is regarded as an essential process for children to connect to their primary caregiver so they can become part of a family unit and learn to trust. Attachment is regarded as a very important process of bonding. Successful bonding is necessary for children to develop healthy, loving relationships with their primary caregivers. If attachment bonding does not occur or if it is disrupted this causes damage to development of future relationships as they become adults. Dr. Karen's book provides practical information based on theory's and research studies. The author based the premise of her book on the research work of John Bowlby the founder of attachment theory. John Bowlby wrote
"When a baby is born he cannot tell one person from another and indeed can hardly tell person from thing. Yet, by his first birthday he is likely to have become a connoisseur of people. Not only does he come quickly to distinguish familiars from strangers but amongst his familiars he chooses one or more favorites. They are greeted with delight; they are followed when they depart; and they are sought when absent. Their loss causes anxiety and distress; their recovery, relief and a sense of security. On this foundation, it seems, the rest of his emotional life is built - without this foundation there is risk for is future happiness and health."
Note that new studies have shown that the infant, even the neonate, odes have the capacity to distinguish the smell of his mother and to recognize her voice.
Dr. Karen goes on to support Dr. Bowlby's theory in each chapter that is packed with supporting research information. In Chapter One he cites scenarios of the tremendous impact of the primary care-giver that is usually the mother. It is not enough to love the child. Bowlby, 1967. Some points of interest in this book includes the scare (and supporting facts) that problems in early attachment lead to future psychopaths. An unattached child is more likely to grow up to become a detached adult. Any crime can become possible when they are detached and do not have a conscious. Researchers Bowlby and Klein continue to be cited throughout Chapter Four to support this theory. Chapters Twenty, Twenty-One, Twenty-Two, and Twenty-Three deal with the nature versus nurture debate. Chapters Twenty-Four, Twenty-Five, and Twenty-Six deal with the problem of passing on the same insecurities to our children that we have encountered. Chapter Twenty-Six presents practical advice for working through insecure attachment and the problems that go with this insecure attachment.
In summary, I have found this book to be written in a logical fashion that is easy for neophytes as well as experienced professionals to read. It is presented in an interesting fashion with plenty of quotes and citation and bibliographic notation for further research on this fascinating topic. I recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding the process of becoming attached as a child.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent history and explanation of attachment theory
Review: Extremely well-written book in that it is easily understood by the lay person, yet gracefully expresses complex ideas and processes, and is such a complete overview of attachment theory as to be of as much use to the professional as the lay person. Attachment theory addresses child development in terms of whether or not there is a loving attachment to a parental figure. Through following the history of the development of attachment theory the author explains the theory, the evidence supporting it, and the effects upon the individual. While supportive of attachment theory, Karen is careful to explain the views of its critics, and to show how those criticisms often improved the theory. I am not a psychologist, but someone with Borderline Personality Disorder trying to make sense of my life in order to improve it. Karen's work helped me enormously. His scientific orientation to provide good theory grounded in reseach and evidence is fused with his warm humanity and concern for individuals and society. Therefore I recommend the book to professional psychologists, teachers, makers of public policy, and others who deal with children. But also I recommend it highly to those on the quest for self-understanding.
Rating:
Summary: Totally fascinating book
Review: I had heard of attachment theory, but knew only the barest minimum about it. I had no idea that it affected me in an important way. This book revolutionized my insight into myself and people important to me. It is extremely readable and to this habitual sceptic (and science PhD), quite credible. I strongly recommend it to anyone trying to understand themselves.
Rating: 
Summary: A good book but not for everyone.
Review: I started reading this book because I wanted to bring my child up to be securly attached to me. I have to admit the book has a lot of very good information, however it is very long and detailed and is very much a psychology read. It is a good book if you like that form of reading. However it was a bit long and complicated for me who just wanted some basic parenting info. If that is what you are looking for than I recomend the book Attachment parenting. That was more of a guide for parents and was very helpful for me.
Rating:
Summary: Changed my Life
Review: I used this book for a paper I wrote in a psychology class and my husband practically had to wrestle it away from me so we could return it to the library! I ended up buying a copy.
Some of the psychoanalytic stuff at the beginning may seem a little far-fetched, but it's interesting anyway.
This is a great literature review, written in a style that is simple and interesting enough for people with no previous knowledge of attachment theory.
I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: a great read for "psychologists" in all walks of life
Review: I used this book for a paper I wrote in a psychology class and my husband practically had to wrestle it away from me so we could return it to the library! I ended up buying a copy.
Some of the psychoanalytic stuff at the beginning may seem a little far-fetched, but it's interesting anyway.
This is a great literature review, written in a style that is simple and interesting enough for people with no previous knowledge of attachment theory.
I highly recommend it.
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