Attachment (explanations of attachment: Bowlby's theory)

Question 1

Why attachments form?

Answer 1

-Lorenz’s research led to a similar process that was operated on humans.
-Distant infant ancestors would be in danger if not close to a caregiver.
-It is important that the attachment forms both ways. Parents must be attached to their infants to care and survive.

Question 2

Bowlby’s theory also explains how attachment occurs.

Answer 2

-Babies have an innate drive to become attached, these innate behaviours have a specific time period called the critical period
-Around 3-6 months
-If they don’t form an attachment around this time then they find it hard to form attachment later in life.
-Bowlby suggests it down to to sensitivity, influenced by Ainsworth and her findings.

Question 3

Why attachment forms - Social releasers

Answer 3

Social releasers are important to make sure an attachment forms between parent and infant. Babies biologically perform social releasers (crying). This allows the attention of the caregiver to get what they need. These innate mechanisms help get babies what they want.

Question 4

Why attachment forms - Critical period

Answer 4

Innate drive to become attached. Critical period is a round 3 to 6 months. If they don’t form an attachment during this specific time then no attachment will form between caregiver and infant. The attachment around this time is derived around sensitivity for the caregiver. His views were influenced by Ainsworth study.

Question 5

Why attachment forms - Monotropy

Answer 5

Monotropy defines as a single bond with between infant and caregiver as the primary attachment bond (often biological mother). Acts as a special emotional bond. Most likely with the one who offers the most emotional support to the baby.

Question 6

What did Bowlby suggest about evolution?

Answer 6

That babies have become attached to their caregivers through biology and evolution

Question 7

Internal working model -

Answer 7

A schema built form relationships with the main attachment figure. Gives beliefs an expectations for future relationships seen as a possible consequence depending on the type of attachment that was present with the caregiver.

Question 8

Sensitive period rather than a critical period -

Answer 8

Bowlby suggested the critical period as 3-6 months and suggested that it is the only time infants form attachments.
Rutter studies children who failed to form attachments during this time, It appears to be less likely to form attachments after this period but not impossible just less likely. His theory is true to extent, researchers therefore refer to the critical period as the sensitive period.

Question 9

Continuity hypothesis -

Answer 9

Proposes individuals who are strongly attached in Infancy continue to be socially and emotionally competent, whereas those who are not strongly attached in infancy will have more social and emotional difficulties in adulthood and childhood.

Question 10

Continuity hypothesis support from Minnesota study -

Answer 10

One of Bowlby’s theories was that the attachment had an effect later relationships. This has been tested on the Minnesota parent-child study, the study followed participants from infancy to adolescents and found continuity between early and later emotional/social behaviour. Individuals who were classed as securely attached in infancy were highest rated for social competence later in childhood. Supports the continuity hypothesis of a link between early and later relationships