Bowlby's explanations of attachment

Question 1

define proximity seeking behaviour

Answer 1

behaviour that seeks to restore closeness when infant is separated from caregiver (e.g. crying)

Question 2

outline Bowlby’s theory

Answer 2

• attachment is mutually innate between infant and caregiver with infant using social releasers to promote interaction
• parent needs to equally reciprocate innate queues that infant displays to offer adaptive advantage

Question 3

define the critical period

Answer 3

suggests if child doesn’t form attachment before 2.5 years attachment will not occur

Question 4

define internal working model

Answer 4

provides schema and allows individual to predict, control and manipulate environment- continuity hypothesis (effects later development)

Question 5

define monotropic bond

Answer 5

infants require unique relationship to develop internal working model and emotional maturity- helps maintain proximity and offers infant opportunity to develop skills with understanding how to attach with others

Question 6

evaluate Bowlby’s explanation of attachment

Answer 6

A: universal: Ainsworth observed Ganda tribe in Uganda and found infants form a primary attachment- proves monotropy
A: animal studies prove imprinting, monotropy, critical period and internal working model exists
C: multiple attachments make more sense: Thomas suggests its more beneficial to have network of attachments to support social and emotional needs of infant- Schaffer and Emerson argue stable network of adults can provide better care than single caregiver