Bowlby/Attachment Theory

Question 1

Define Ethologist

Answer 1

Somebody who studies animal behaviour

Question 2

What did Lorenz discover?

Answer 2

That baby geese who were separated from their mother prior to birth saw him as their caregiver and couldn’t attach with their biological mother, even after interacting with her

Question 3

What did Harlow discover?

Answer 3

That baby monkeys separated from their mother at birth clung to a cloth surroagte rather than the food surrogate - couldn’t from attachments with others and neglected their offspring

Question 4

Define Adaptive

Answer 4

Actions or behaviours that aid in an organisms basic survival and likelihood of reproduction

Question 5

Define Social Releaser

Answer 5

Behaviours which help to ensure proximity and contact with attachment figure

Question 6

Define Safe Base

Answer 6

A haven provided by the attachment figure to meet the infant’s needs and safety

Question 7

Define Critical Period

Answer 7

Time an infant has to form an attachment with a caregiver

Question 8

Why is the critical period important?

Answer 8

Because if an attachment isn’t made, the infant may die or have severe psychological problems (e.g. Harlow’s monkeys)

Question 9

Define Monotropy

Answer 9

The bias of a child to attach to one person in particular

Question 10

Define Internal Working Model

Answer 10

Mental representation for understanding the world, self and others, guided by memories

Question 11

What is the Continuity Hypothesis?

Answer 11

Idea that there is consistency between early emotional experiences and later relationships

Question 12

Give 2 supporting pieces of evidence for Bowbly’s theory of attachment

Answer 12

• Harlow - Supports the IWM as the monkeys couldn’t form attachments
• Lorenz - Geese only had 32 hours to form an attachment

Question 13

Give 1 conflicting piece of evidence for Bowlby’s theory of attachment and a counter for it

Answer 13

Schaffer and Emmerson - Babies formed multiple attachments

However, protested more violently at the absence of the primary caregiver (hierarchal order)

Question 14

How did Bowlby’s 44 thieves support hiss theory?

Answer 14

Because many had psychological issues and felt no remorse for their crimes

Question 15

Give 2 pieces of evidence as to how Bowlby’s theory is useful and 2 counter pieces of evidence

Answer 15

• Hospitals now allow more visiting times for babies
• Hozen and Shaver - Early attachments form a template for later romantic relationships
• Led to criticism and guilt for mothers and their parenting style
• Questionnaire = social desirability

Question 16

How is Bowlby’s theory testable?

Answer 16

• Use animal research (unethical)

- However, allows research to be conducted that couldn’t be carried out on humans