Who is most famously associated with attachment theory?

The most famous association with attachment theory is John Bowlby. He was a British psychologist who developed the foundational concepts of attachment theory in the mid-20th century. Bowlby emphasized the importance of the relationships formed between infants and their primary caregivers, positing that these early attachments influence emotional and social development throughout a person's life.

Bowlby's work focused on the idea that secure attachment fosters healthy emotional and social functioning, while insecure attachment can lead to difficulties in relationships and mental health issues later on. His collaboration with researchers like Mary Ainsworth, who designed the "Strange Situation" assessment to evaluate attachment styles, further solidified the significance of his theories in psychology.

The other figures mentioned are well-known for their contributions to different areas of psychology. Albert Bandura is renowned for his work on social learning theory and the concept of self-efficacy. Lev Vygotsky is recognized primarily for his sociocultural theory, emphasizing the social context of learning and development. Abraham Maslow is famous for his hierarchy of needs, which focuses on motivation and personal development. Each of these theorists has made significant contributions, but none are directly associated with attachment theory in the way that Bowlby is.