Watch The Following 1999 Filmohara R Macaulay S Dewis J Mar

Watch The Following 1999 Filmohara R Macaulay S Dewis J Mar

Watch the following 1999 film: O'Hara, R., Macaulay, S., Dewis, J., Marx, L. (Producers), & Whaley, F. (Director). (1999). Joe the King [Motion picture]. United States: 49th Parallel, Forensic/291 Films, Lower East Side Films. Please note, this movie contains strong language and violence (rated R). Do not watch it with young children. You will use this movie as the case study for your Integrating Theory Into Professional Practice course project. Attachment Explain four patterns of attachment and give an example of each one. Indicate which pattern you find to be the most common, and support your answer with examples from the text and movie.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The attachment theory, initially developed by John Bowlby and later expanded by Mary Ainsworth, provides a framework for understanding the emotional bonds formed between children and their caregivers. These early attachment patterns significantly influence individuals’ emotional development, social relationships, and behavioral responses throughout their lifespan. For this paper, various attachment styles will be explained, exemplified, and connected to the film "Joe the King" to analyze which pattern appears most prevalent in the portrayal of characters, particularly focusing on the protagonist's interactions and behaviors.

Four Patterns of Attachment

Attachment theory broadly delineates four primary attachment styles: secure, anxious-ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized. Each pattern reflects distinct methods by which individuals relate to others based on early relational experiences with caregivers.

Secure Attachment

Secure attachment develops when caregivers are consistently responsive, sensitive, and available to meet the child's needs. Children with secure attachments tend to feel safe exploring their environment, knowing they have a reliable support system (Ainsworth et al., 1978). An example of secure attachment is seen in children who show distress when separated from caregivers but are easily comforted upon reunion. Adults with secure attachment typically exhibit healthy independence and intimacy in relationships and are comfortable seeking support without fear of rejection.

Anxious-Ambivalent Attachment

This pattern emerges when caregivers are inconsistent—sometimes responsive, sometimes neglectful. Children become anxious about caregiver availability, leading to clingy or overly dependent behaviors. These individuals often exhibit heightened sensitivity to rejection and may display intense emotional reactions. For instance, they may be overly preoccupied with relationships or exhibit anxiety about abandonment (Hesse, 2008). In adulthood, such individuals may have difficulty trusting others or managing intimacy, as seen in heightened dependence or fear of abandonment.

Avoidant Attachment

Avoidant attachment results from consistently unresponsive or emotionally distant caregiving. Children learn to suppress their needs for closeness, leading them to appear self-reliant and emotionally independent. Adults with avoidant attachment often struggle with intimacy, tend to dismiss the importance of relationships, and may avoid closeness to prevent emotional hurt (Simpson & Rholes, 2017). They might also prefer solitude and show discomfort with emotional vulnerability.

Disorganized Attachment

Disorganized attachment is characterized by a lack of a coherent strategy to deal with attachment figures, often resulting from inconsistent or abusive caregiving. Children exhibit contradictory behaviors, such as approaching caregivers but displaying signs of fear or confusion. Adults with disorganized attachment might display unresolved trauma, difficulties with emotional regulation, and unpredictable relationship patterns. This style is often linked to adverse early experiences (Lyons-Ruth & Jacobvitz, 2016).

Most Common Attachment Pattern in the Context of "Joe the King"

In analyzing "Joe the King," a film that depicts a troubled youth growing up amidst a chaotic and neglectful environment, the most evident attachment pattern is disorganized attachment. The film's portrayal of Joe, the protagonist, reveals inconsistent and often neglectful or abusive interactions with family members and authority figures, leading to emotional confusion and behavioral difficulties.

Joe's unpredictable responses, oscillating between seeking closeness and withdrawing, reflect the hallmarks of disorganized attachment. His inability to trust authority figures or caregivers, along with unpredictable emotional reactions, highlight the core features of this attachment style. The depiction aligns with Lyons-Ruth and Jacobvitz's (2016) descriptions of disorganized attachment, often arising in environments with inconsistent caregiving, akin to Joe's family situation depicted in the film.

Furthermore, the film underscores how early attachment disruptions translate into maladaptive behaviors, such as aggression, defiance, and emotional dysregulation—core signs of disorganized attachment. For example, Joe's volatile interactions with authority figures and his inability to form stable relationships mirror the chaos and unresolved trauma typical of disorganized attachment.

While the film also hints at some avoidant tendencies—such as emotional withdrawal—these seem more superficial and context-dependent rather than deeply rooted. The overall portrayal suggests that disorganized attachment best encapsulates Joe’s psychological and behavioral profile.

Conclusion

Understanding attachment styles provides valuable insights into the behaviors and emotional responses of individuals like Joe in "Joe the King." The film vividly illustrates how early relational disruptions and inconsistent caregiving foster disorganized attachment, which manifests in problematic adult behaviors. Recognizing these patterns can inform professional practice, emphasizing trauma-informed care and targeted interventions designed to address attachment-related issues. The prevalence of disorganized attachment in the film highlights the importance of early intervention and stable caregiving environments for healthy emotional development.

References

  • Ainsworth, M. D. S., Blehar, M. C., Waters, E., & Wall, S. (1978). Patterns of attachment: A psychological study of the Strange Situation. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  • Hesse, E. (2008). The adult attachment interview: Protocol, method, and scoring. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (2nd ed., pp. 552-599). Guilford Press.
  • Lyons-Ruth, K., & Jacobvitz, D. (2016). Attachment disorganization: Genetic, neurobiological, and developmental aspects. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (3rd ed., pp. 667-695). Guilford Press.
  • Simpson, J. A., & Rholes, W. S. (2017). Adult attachment, stress, and romantic relationships. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 55, 197–255.
  • Hesse, E. (2008). The adult attachment interview: Protocol, method, and scoring. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (2nd ed., pp. 552-599). Guilford Press.
  • Shaver, P. R., & Mikulincer, M. (2009). Security in the self: An overview of attachment theory and research. In M. Mikulincer & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change (pp. 17-52). Guilford Press.
  • Van IJzendoorn, M., & Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J. (2010). The developmental psychology of attachment: Theory, research, and intervention. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987). Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(3), 511–524.
  • Grossmann, K., & Grossmann, K. E. (2014). Attachment and family systems. In J. V. Lerner (Series Ed.), & R. Walper (Vol. Ed.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (3rd ed., pp. 540-572). Guilford Publications.
  • Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. Basic Books.

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