Bowlby's theory

Question 1

State Bowlby’s theory

Answer 1

• Attachment behaviour evolved because it’s an important survival function
• Infant not attached = less protected
• Attachment must be formed in two directions:
  > Parent attached to infant
  > Infant attached to primary caregiver

Question 2

State the elements involving how attachment forms.

Answer 2

• Critical period
• Social releasers
• Monotropy

Question 3

State the Critical period.

Answer 3

• Period = 3-6 months
• Infants no opportunity to form attachment during this period have difficulty forming relationships later on
• Attachment = determined by sensitivity

Question 4

State the Social releasers

Answer 4

• Ensures development from parent to infant
• Smiling, having ‘baby face’ = elicits caregiving
• Social releasers = innate mechanisms, explains how attachment is formed

Question 5

State the definition of monotropy.

Answer 5

• A special emotional bond
• The primary attachment - often biological mother
• Can form secondary attachment = provides emotional safety net

Question 6

Define the Internal Working Model.

Answer 6

A mental representation of one special relationship (primary attachment)

Question 7

State the Short Term consequence of attachment.

Answer 7

• Gives child insight into caregivers behaviour
• Enables child to influence caregivers behaviour
• True partnership can be formed

Question 8

State the Long term consequence of attachment.

Answer 8

• Acts as template for all future relationships

- Generates expectations of what innate, loving relationships are like.

Question 9

State what the Continuity hypothesis proposes.

Answer 9

• Individuals strongly attached = socially & emotionally competent
• Individuals not strongly attached = more social & emotional difficulties in child/adulthood

Question 10

State the main principle of Bowlby’s theory.

Answer 10

Strong attachment & consequences of such attachment are adaptive

Question 11

State how Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution can support Bowlby’s theory.

Answer 11

• Genetically enhanced behaviour that enhances survival will be naturally selected
• Possessors of these traits = more likely to survive and reproduce, pass down these traits

Question 12

What is the 1st strength to Bowlby’s theory?

Answer 12

Attachment is adaptive:

• Our distant ancestors = attachment is vital after they are born
• E.g monkeys cling on mothers fur
• When human infants start crawling = attachment is vital
• Supports Bowlby’s view attachment is adaptive.

Question 13

What is the 2nd strength to Bowlby’s theory?

Answer 13

Multiple attachment vs Monotropy:

• Both models not so different
• Secondary attachment do contribute to social development
• Healthy development = requires primary attachment
• Supports Bowlby’s concept of monotropy

Question 14

What is the 3rd strength to Bowlby’s theory?

Answer 14

Supporting the continuity hypothesis:

• Sroufe et al (2005)
• Study tested participants from infancy - late adolescence
• Found continuity between early & later emotional/social behaviour
• Supports continuity hypothesis because there is a link between early & later attachment.