ATTACHMENT :Bowlby's Theory Flashcards
What did Bowlby Reject
Learning theory by Dollard and Miller
Why did Bowlby reject the learning theory
if it were true an babies would attach to whoever feeds them. which clearly in’t the case
What did Bowlby look to Lorenz and Harlow for?
ideas
From looking at Lorenz and Harlow for ideas what did he propose
evalutionary explenation
attachment innate system - gives a survival advantage
So attachment like imprinting…..
evolved as a mechanism to keep young animals safe through ensuring they stay close to caregivers
Why is Bowlby’s theory described as monotropic
he placed lots of emphasis on a childs attachmetn to this one particular caregiver
What did bowlby belive about the attachment to this one caregiver
it’s different and more imiportant than the others
Bowlby called the one particular caregiver a mother but what do we know now
the particular caregiver doesn’t need to be
the biological mother or a woman
What is the mother now called
primary caregiver
Bowlby believed the more time a baby spent with the primary caregiver …..
.. the better
What were the two laws put forward to clarify the more timen a baby spent with its primary caregiver the better
law of continuity
law of accumulated seperation
What is the law of continuity
the more constant and predictable a childs care
, the better quality of their attachment
What is the law of accumulated seperation
the effect of every seperation from the mother adds up and therefore the safest does is 0
What are social releasers
innate ‘cute’ behaviours babies are born with such as cooing that encourage attention from adults
Explain why social releasers are called social releasers
purpose - ellicit an adult social interactrion
therefore make the adult attach to the baby
Bowlby recognised attachment was a x process
reciprocal process
the mother and baby are what to become attached
hard wired
what does the interplay between baby and adult attachment systems do
gradually builds relationship
between baby and caregiver
starting in early weks of life
When is the critical period developing
around 6 motnsh when the child’s attachment system is active
But bowlby viewed the critical period as a
more sensitive period
A child is maximally sensitive at
6 months
A child’s maximal sensitivity possibly extends up to the age of
2
If an attachment isn’t formed betwen 6 months - 2 years of age what will happen
a child will find it harder to form attachments later
What is the internal working model
concept proposed by Bowlby
child forms amental representation of relationship with their primary attachment figure
Why is the internal wokring model called an internal working model
serves as a model for what relationships are like
What expectation will a child who’s first experience is of a loving relationship with a reliable caregiver form
all relationships are as loving and reliable
and they will bring these qualities into future relationshiops
what will a child who’s first relationship involves poor treatment form relationships/expect/dp
form further relationships which they expect poor treatment from others
treat other poorly
Most importantly what does the IWM affect
child’s later ability to be a parent
What do people tend to base their parenting behaviour on (1)
their own experiences being parented
therefore children from functional families (2)
have similar families themselves
aWhat is the negative evauation point
concept of monotropy lacks validity
b What is the explanation/evidence to support monotropy lacking validit
schaffer and emerson agreed most babies formed an atttachment to a specific caregiver first
but there was a significant minority in which the formed multiple attachments at the same time
additionally although the first attachment majorly influence other relationships this shows its stronger and not necessarily better quality from other attachments
e.g attachments to family members provide all the same key qualities e,g emotional support
c What does the evidence show
that there isn’t a unique quality and importance to the child’s primary attachment
