3.5 Explanations of attachment: Bowlby's theory

Question 1

Continuity Hypothesis

Answer 1

Idea that emotionally secure infants go on to be emotionally secure adults (trusting, social, etc.)

Question 2

Critical Period

Answer 2

biologically determined period of time where attachments can form (3-6 months)

Question 3

Internal Working Model

Answer 3

A mental model of the world which enables individuals to predict and control their environment

Question 4

Monotropy

Answer 4

Idea that the relationship between infant and primary attachment figure is of special significance in emotional development

Question 5

Social Releaser

Answer 5

A social behaviour or characteristic that elicits a caregiving and leads to attachment

Question 6

Summarise Bowlby’s monotropic theory

Answer 6

• critical period - attachments form around 3-6 months and after this it becomes increasingly difficult
• bond with primary attachment figure
• social releasers elicit caregiving and secure attachment
• monotropy - primary attachment has special emotional role, secondary attachments provide safety net
• internal working model - acts as template for future relationships creating continuity

Question 7

Evaluate Bowlby’s monotropic theory

Answer 7

• Attachment is adaptive
• A sensitive period rather than a critical one
• multiple attachments
• continuity hypothesis
• Alternative explanation - innate emotional personality may explain attachment

Question 8

What happens if an infant doesn’t form an attachment during the critical period

Answer 8

Difficulty forming attachments later on

Question 9

How does Bowlby’s monotropic attachment theory relate to evolution?

Answer 9

Forming attachments so that the infant is cared for and is therefore more likely to survive

Question 10

explain bowlby’s monotropic theory?

Answer 10

if you lack strong infant attachments you will face later problems in life
bowlby rejected learning theories of attachment because he saw that children didn’t just become attached to whomever fed them
he argued that evolutionary pressures made imprinting and attachment innate processes - they protect us