Attachment - Explanations (Bowlby's theory)

Question 1

Bowlby’s theory

Answer 1

Monotropic (evolutionary theory)

Question 2

Monotropic theory

Answer 2

Attachment to one caregiver that is more important than others (more time spent with them, the better)

Question 3

Evolutionary explanation

Answer 3

Humans are subject to passing on adaptive genes (opposes learning theories) -> requiring emotional security, attachment is pre-programmed behaviour, occur in critical period

Question 4

Principles of monotropic theory

Answer 4

Law of continuity -> more constant & predictable care creates better quality attachments
Law of accumulated separation -> effects of separation add up over time (safest dose of 0)

Question 5

Social releasers

Answer 5

Behaviours that are innate (i.e smiling -> activate social interaction w/adults to develop attachment)
Both caregiver & child are hard-wired to become attached

Question 6

Supporting evidence on social releasers

Answer 6

Brazelton et al -> observed babies triggering interactions with adults -> become increasingly distressed when ignored by the attachment figure

Question 7

Contradictory evidence on social releasers

Answer 7

Genetic differences in anxiety & sociability -> impacting parent ability & behaviours of infant

Question 8

Internal working model

Answer 8

Child form mental representation of relationship w/primary caregiver -> expectations for all future relationships

Question 9

Supporting evidence of internal working model

Answer 9

Bailey et al - 99 mothers w/1 year old babies measuring attachment -> poor attachment with the mother’s primary attachment figure = poorly attached baby

Question 10

Critical period

Answer 10

6 months - 2 years

Question 11

Strengths of monotropic theory

Answer 11

Supporting evidence
(social releasers -> Brazelton -> supports idea of importance of attachment to primary figure & law of continuity)
(internal working model -> Bailey et al -> supports idea of evolutionary theory & increases validity)

Question 12

Limitation of monotropic theory

Answer 12

Conflicting evidence (Schaffer & Emerson -> 18 months old children have 5 attachments w/mother not always being primary caregiver -> not detrimental to development as long as caregivers are sensitive to needs of child -> inaccurate)