Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In recent years, attachment theory has exploded into the public consciousness. On TikTok, videos tagged #AttachmentTheory have racked up hundreds of millions of views, with some advising users on how to become more securely attached.
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The theory was first developed in the 1950s by John Bowlby, and suggests that the bonds we form with early givers shape our expectations in adult relationships. Further research has expanded our understanding of how we connect since then, and offered a more nuanced view on attachment. But this is not always reflected in popular videos online. We speak to Josh Elgin, a BBC journalist who’s been reporting on discussions of attachment theory.
Plus we hear from Dr Amir Levine, a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University and author of Attached, a book which played an influential role in bringing attachment to the mainstream.
00:00 Introduction
00:17 What is attachment theory?
02:18 The four types of attachment
03:40 Psychiatrist Dr Amir Levine on attachment styles
04:50 Psychology becoming more accessible for everyone online
06:10 Personal experiences with attachment styles playing out in relationships
07:13 How useful is it to know your attachment style?
07:58 Psychiatrist Dr Amir Levine on how attachment styles develop throughout your life
09:28 Risks of getting overly invested in attachment styles
Watch more episodes from What in the World here 👉🏽 youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4eMOlGZclzdcHmv7s8BFQE6
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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producer: Chelsea Coates, Benita Barden and Eleanor Sly
Video Producer: Adam Chowdhury and Baldeep Chahal
Editor: Verity Wilde
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If you like what we do, you can also find us here:
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Thanks for watching and subscribing!
#BBCWorldService #WorldService #attachmenttheory #avoidantattachment #anxiousattachment
In recent years, attachment theory has exploded into the public consciousness. On TikTok, videos tagged #AttachmentTheory have racked up hundreds of millions of views, with some advising users on how to become more securely attached.
Click here to subscribe to our channel 👉🏽 bbc.in/3VyyriM
The theory was first developed in the 1950s by John Bowlby, and suggests that the bonds we form with early givers shape our expectations in adult relationships. Further research has expanded our understanding of how we connect since then, and offered a more nuanced view on attachment. But this is not always reflected in popular videos online. We speak to Josh Elgin, a BBC journalist who’s been reporting on discussions of attachment theory.
Plus we hear from Dr Amir Levine, a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University and author of Attached, a book which played an influential role in bringing attachment to the mainstream.
00:00 Introduction
00:17 What is attachment theory?
02:18 The four types of attachment
03:40 Psychiatrist Dr Amir Levine on attachment styles
04:50 Psychology becoming more accessible for everyone online
06:10 Personal experiences with attachment styles playing out in relationships
07:13 How useful is it to know your attachment style?
07:58 Psychiatrist Dr Amir Levine on how attachment styles develop throughout your life
09:28 Risks of getting overly invested in attachment styles
Watch more episodes from What in the World here 👉🏽 youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4eMOlGZclzdcHmv7s8BFQE6
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producer: Chelsea Coates, Benita Barden and Eleanor Sly
Video Producer: Adam Chowdhury and Baldeep Chahal
Editor: Verity Wilde
----------------
This is the official BBC World Service YouTube channel.
If you like what we do, you can also find us here:
Instagram 👉🏽 instagram.com/bbcworldservice
Twitter 👉🏽 twitter.com/bbcworldservice
Facebook 👉🏽 facebook.com/bbcworldservice
BBC World Service website 👉🏽 bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
#BBCWorldService #WorldService #attachmenttheory #avoidantattachment #anxiousattachment
