bowlby's theory evaluation

Question 1

Name one evaluation point

Answer 1

There is supporting evidence of the continuity hypothesis
Srofue et al 20005 In Minnesota conducted a longitudinal parent child study of which participants were followed from infancy to adolescence and found continuity between early attachment and later social/emotional behaviour. Individuals classified as securely attached in infancy were rated highest in regards to social competence later in childhood, were less isolated, popular and empathetic
Supports the continuity hypothesis as there is a link between early attachments

Question 2

Name a second evaluation point

Answer 2

There is an alternative explanation suggested by Kagan in 1984 called the temperament hypothesis
Those who have an easy temperament are more likely to be strongly attached because it is easier to form an attachment vs those with a difficult temperament (insecure attachment)
Belsky and Rovine 1987 infants who showed signs of behavioural instability were more likely to be judged as insecurely attached
Bowlby suggest that attachment is due to the primary caregiver’s sensitivity whereas Kagan argues attachment is due to infants behaviour

Question 3

Name a third evaluation point

Answer 3

The importance of monotropy is overemphasized – Thomas questions the benefits of monotropy and suggests having a network of attachments to support infants and their needs and Van Ijzendoorn argued that a stable network of adults could provide better care than one mother – The theory lacks value and may require adjustment.

Question 4

Name a fourth evaluation point

Answer 4

Konrad Lorenz (1935) supports Bowlby’s monotropic theory as the attachment process of imprinting is an innate process that has a critical period. Also, the geese also attached to a single person/animal or object, thus showing monotropic behavior.

Question 5

Name a fifth evaluation point

Answer 5

Use of contradictory evidence: e.g., Schaffer and Emerson’s findings re multiple attachments