Attachment - Theories

Question 1

What is the definition of attachment?

Answer 1

The formation of a reciprocal, emotional bond between two people involving a feeling of wellbeing and a desire to be close

Question 2

What are the 4 attachment behaviours?

Answer 2

1. Distress on separation
2. General orientation
3. Seeking proximity
4. Joy on reunion

Question 3

What does the learning theory of attachment say?

Answer 3

Attachment in learned (nurture)

Babies attach to the person who feeds them

Question 4

Explain classical conditioning in regards to the Learning theory of attachment

Answer 4

The baby associates the mother (neutral stimulus) with pleasure through feeding

Question 5

Explain operant conditioning in regards to the Learning theory of attachment

Answer 5

The baby will continue to cry when hungry if they get fed (behaviour positively re-inforced).
The mother will continue to feed the baby because it ends the crying (behaviour negatively re-inforced)

Question 6

What is a primary reinforcer?

Answer 6

Something satisfying basic biological needs (e.g food)

Question 7

What is a secondary reinforcer?

Answer 7

Something associated with a primary reinforcer

Question 8

Name and explain a study that goes against the learning theory of attachment

Answer 8

Schaffer and Emerson
Found that 39% of the attachments formed in young babies were not to the primary caregiver. This shows food not to be the main driving force for the development of attachment

Question 9

State one methodological point of Schaffer and Emerson’s research

Answer 9

It has high ecological validity due to the children being observed in their own homes / natural environment

Question 10

Name and explain a study that goes against the learning theory of attachment involving monkeys

Answer 10

Harlow and Harlow
Compared infant monkeys seeking comfort from a wire and feeding mother with a cuddly but non-feeding mother. The monkeys went to the non-feeding monkeys, showing that attachment isn’t just based on food but also comfort

Question 11

Name and explain the procedure and results of a study into the development of attachment

Answer 11

Schaffer and Emerson
Studied 60 babies, considering separation anxiety and stranger distress, using observation and interviews.
Found that 65% were attached to the mother, 27% had joint attachment and 39% was not to the primary carer

Question 12

What does Bowlby’s theory of attachment say?

Answer 12

Infants are born with the innate tendency to form attachments in order to survive (need adults for food, care, protection). Adults also innately programmed to form attachments with their infants (reciprocal process). It also provides a template for relationships later in life

Question 13

What are the 3 aspects to Bowlby’s theory of attachment?

Answer 13

1. Infants and carers programmed to form attachments
2. Attachment is a biological process, must take place during a critical period (2 1/2 years)
3. Plays role in later development (continuity hypothesis).

Question 14

What are 2 differences between the Learning theory of attachment and Bowlby’s theory of attachment?

Answer 14

1. Learning theory say attachments are learnt, but bowlby’s theory states they are innate
2. Learning theory says an attachment can form at any age, whereas bowlby’s says it has to take place during the critical period

Question 15

Name and explain a piece of research evidence to support the Internal Working Model

Answer 15

Hazan and Shaver
Found a strong relationship between childhood attachment types and adulthood attachment types, supporting the continuity theory

Question 16

Explain one weakness of a study in support of the internal working model

Answer 16

Hazan and Shaver’s study is non-experimental (it is correlational) and so a cause and effect relationship cannot be established.

Question 17

Name and explain a piece of evidence that goes against the Internal Working Model and continuity

Answer 17

Zimmerman et al
Found that in 44 children/adults, childhood attachment types were not a good predictor of attachments in adolescence. It suggests that continuity would only apply when serious life events do not have an impact on the child

Question 18

Name and explain a study going against monotropy in Bowlby’s theory of attachment

Answer 18

Schaffer and Emerson

By 18 months, 87% of the babies had formed multiple attachments, which was not necessarily the mother