bowlby's theory of attachement Flashcards

1
Q

what did Bowlby reject and why ?

A
  • the learning theory as an explanation for attachment
    –> because ‘ if this were true an infant of a year or two would be willing to feed from anyone which is often not the case’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what work did Bowlby look at instead ?

A
  • at the work of Lorenz and Harlow for ideas
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what did Bowlby propose instead ?

A
  • an evolutionary explanation for attachment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Bowlby’s theory of attachment is an evolutionary theory of attachment ( explain why this is )

A
  • attachement is an innate system
    –> gives a survival damage
    –> imprinting and attachment evolved to make sure infant stay close to their caregivers and this protects them from hazards
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what are the elements to the theory of Bowlby’s ?

A
  • monotropy
  • social releasers
  • critical period
  • internal working model
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

define monotropy

A
  • a term is sometimes used to describe Bowlby’s theory
  • the mono means ‘one’ and indicates one particular attachment is different from all others and of central importance to the child’s development
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what is meant by monotropy ?

A
  • Bowlby’s theory is described as monotropic
    –> placed emphasis on attachment to 1 particular caregiver
    –> ‘mother’
    –> the attachment is different and more important
    –> the more time spent with the primary care-giver the better
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what are the 2 principles Bowlby put forward ?

A
  • the law of continuity stated that more constant and predictable a child’s care , the better the quality of attachment
  • the law of accumulated separation stated that the effects of every separation from the mother add up ‘and the safest dose is therefore a zero dose’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what did Bowlby suggest babies are born with ?

A

a set of innate cute behaviours both physical and behavioural
- such as smiling , cooing and gripping

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is the term referred as for the behaviours ?

A
  • called social releasers and encourage attention from adults
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what is the purpose of social releasers ?

A
  • to activate the adult attachement system
    –> e.g. make an adult feel love towards the baby
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what did Bowbly recognise attachement as ?

A

an reciprocal process

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what do both the baby and mother have ?

A
  • the innate predisposition to become attached and social releasers trigger that response in caregivers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what does the interplay between ‘mother’ and ‘infant’ form ?

A
  • gradually builds the relationship between caregiver and infant within the early weeks of life
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what did Bowlby proposed about the period of attachment ?

A
  • proposed there is a critical period around 2 years when the infant attachment system is active
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

define critical period

A
  • refers to the time within which an attachement must form if it is to form at all
  • Lorenz and Harlow noted that attachment in birds and monkeys had critical periods
  • Bowlby extended the idea to humans , proposing that human infants have a sensitive period after which it will be much more difficult to form an attachment
17
Q

what did Bowlby viewed the critical period more of as and why ?

A
  • a sensitive period
    –> child is maximally sensitive at the age of 2
18
Q

what happens if a child doesn’t form an attachment within this time ?

A
  • a child will find it much harder to form one later