Attachment-Explantion Of Attachment Bowlby Theory

Question 1

Bowlby monotropic attachment theory (1969)

Why attachment forms-

Answer 1

Survival function (protection)
Partner must be attached to offspring for them to survive, increases likelihood of production of subsequent generations

Question 2

How attachment forms

Critical period

What happens if infants do not form attachments within this period?

What does Bowlby propose attachment is determined by and why?

Answer 2

Biologically determined period of time which certain characteristics can develops (3-6 months)

They may have difficulties forming attachments later on

Sensitivity (more responsive, cooperative and accessible mothers had stronger attachments with infants-suggested by Ainsworth)

Question 3

Social releasers-

Answer 3

Social behaviour or characteristics that elicit caregiving and leads to attachment (e.g. Smiling)

Question 4

Monotropy?

What about secondary attachments?

Answer 4

Idea that the one relationship the infant has with his/her caregiver is of special significance in emotional development

Provide an emotional safety net and prompt healthy psychological and social development

Question 5

Consequences of attachment-

Importance of Monotropy?
Short term?

Answer 5

One special relationship which results in a mental representation of this bond

Short term-child has insight into caregiver behaviour and enables child to influence that so a true partnership can be formed

Long term- acts as a template for all future relationships, generatig expectations about what an intimate, loving relationships are like

Question 6

Continuity hypothesis?

Answer 6

Ideas that emotionally secure infants go on to be emotionally secure, trusting and socially confirmed adults

Question 7

Evaluation-

Is attachment adaptive?-

Answer 7

H

Question 8

Evaluation-
A sensitive period rather than “critical”-

What did Rutter et al. Find that somewhat supported Bowlbys idea? (Keyword somewhat)

What term do researched use now?

Answer 8

Appears less likely that attachment will form after this period… But is not impossible

Sensitive (not placing a strict window of development but highlighting when children are more receptive to formation of characteristics and behaviours)

Question 9

Evaluation-
Multiple attachment versus montrophy-

What did Grossmann and Grossman (1991) find that somewhat should Bowlbys idea of the central figure of attachment being the most important to be wrong?

How did Prior and Glaser (2006) prove Bowlbys concept of monotrophy?

Answer 9

Research into infant-father attachment- suggests a key role for fathers as secondary attachments and in social development

Concluded from a review of research that evidence still pointed to the hierarchical model that Bowlby suggested.