Attachment - Explanations of Attachment: Bowlby's theory

Question 1

Bowlby’s Beliefs

Answer 1

• Bowlby refused learning theory as an explanation for attachment
• Looked at lorenz and harlow and determined that attachment was an innate system that gives a survival advantage
• Imprinting took place to ensure young animals were safe close to a caregiver

Question 2

Monotropy

Answer 2

• Emphasised that childs attach to one particular caregiver only.
• This caregiver is more important than others
• Called mother but did not need to be biological mother
• The more time spent with mother, the better their attachment.

Question 3

Internal working model

Answer 3

• Mental representations of the world.
• E.g, representation of relationship to primary caregiver
• Model affects later relationships because it carries perception of what relationships are like.