Attachment: Bowlby’s Theory Of Attachment

Question 1

What was Bolby’s theory?

Answer 1

Evolutionary theory: According to Bowlby, attachment is a behaviour that has evolved because of its survival value.

Question 2

What anogram is used to remember Bowlby’s theory?

Answer 2

MICIS

Question 3

What is the M in MICIS

Answer 3

Monotropy: Bowlby believed that infants form one very special attachment with their mother.

Question 4

What is the I in MICIS?

Answer 4

Internal working model. Through the monotropic attachment, infant would form this forming a template for all future relationships.

Question 5

What does strong and weak attachments in infancy lead to? (Internal working model)

Answer 5

Strong attachment = Socially and emotionally comptetant later.
Weak = Social and emotional difficulties later.

Question 6

What is the C in MICIS?

Answer 6

Critical period. This is between birth and 2 and a half yrs old. Bowlby said if this didnt happen they may be damaged for life.

Question 7

What is the second I in MICIS stand for?

Answer 7

Attachments are Innate. Means we are born with a drive to attach, giving us an ‘adaptive advantage’, making us more likely to survive. Kept safe, given food, kept warm.

Question 8

What is the S in MICIS?

Answer 8

Social releasers. ‘Unlock’ innate tendency of adults to care for them. These social releasers are both:

1) physical - ‘baby face features’.
2) Behavioural - e.g. crying.

Question 9

Evaluation of Bowlby’s theory

Answer 9

• Doubt on monotropy theory. Schaffer and Emerson found that many infants can form multiple attachments.
• Bailey supports internal working model.
• Brazleton supports social releasers.

Question 10

What evaluation point can be made about the role of the mother

Answer 10

-Lacks temporal validity. As time goes on many infants have a primary attachment for their father and have preference in activities with them.