Bowlby Flashcards
what was Bowlby’s theory called?
Attachment theory
what is attachment?
an emotional tie between two people
who does attachment happen between with infants/babies
parents/carers
what age did Bowlby believe that attachment needs to have hapenned by?
1
did Bowbly think that children learn attachment or that it is innate?
innate
what does innate mean?
inborn
is simply meeting a child’s needs enough for health and grow in Bowlby’s opinion?
no, children need the main attachment in their early lives to give them consistent support
do children face separation anxiety when there main carers separated from them?
yes, Bowlby observes this
Did Bowlby thinks this…
Children are biologically pre-programmed to be able to form attachments with main carers.
yes
how many types of attachment did Bowlby say there are?
4
what is the first type of attachment called?
secure attachment
what is the second type of attachment called?
ambivalent attachment
what is the third type of attachment called?
avoidant attachment
what is the fourth type of attachment called?
disorganised attachment
give two reasons why attachment might not always work well?
allow any of the following:
1.Separation from parents
2.post-natal depression
3.prematurity, if a baby is in a incubator they can’t bond
4.emotionally unavailable
5.disablity
Give two secure attachment characteristics
allow the following:
1. a child will be bale to separate from parent
2. a child will prefer parents over strangers
3. a child will seek comfort from a parent f they are frightened
4. a child will become excited when they see their parent
Give two ambivalent attachment characteristics
allow the following:
1. a child will be wary of strangers
2. a child will become very distressed when a parent leaves
3. a child won’t appear to be comforted when the parent returns
Give two avoidant attachment characteristics
allow the following:
1. children may avoid parents
2. they don’t really seek comfort from parents
3. they show no real preference between a parent and a stranger
Give two disorganised attachment characteristics
allow the following:
1. at the age of 1 a child will show a mixture of avoidance and resistance from a parent
2. at the age of 1 a child can seem confused and apprehensive
3. at the age of 6 a child may take on a parent role
4. at the age of 6 some children may act as a care giver for their parent
Do the characteristics of disorganised attachment change with age?
yes
Did Mary Ainsworth agree or disagree with Bowlby’s theory?
agree
what experiment did Mary Ainsworth do?
strange situation
Name some of Bowlby’s strengths
- This information can help practitioners support a child’s need in a setting
- it provides a good explanation for why adults form relationships in the way that they do
Name some of Bowlby’s weaknesses
- critics argue that Bowlby’s theory was oversimplified
- Ruffer argues that deprivation doesn’t have as much as an effect on a child than privation does.
- some people believe that attachment isn’t natural and they think it is learned
