Bowlby’s Theory Of Attachment

Question 1

Evolutionary theory

Answer 1

• Bowlby say humans as being just like other animals- we need an innate tendency to form an attachment with a caregiver
• This tendency gives us an adaptive advantage (makes it more likely that we will survive

Question 2

Bowlby’s monotropic theory (MICIS)

Answer 2

• Monotropy: infants form one very special attachment with their mother. If the mother isn’t available, the infant could bond with another mother-substitute
• Internal working model: Through the monotropic attachment, the infant forms a template for all future relationships
• Critical period: Babies have to form an attachment within the critical period (between birth and 2 and a half years) or the child would be damaged for life
• Innate: Attachments are innate. We are born with a drive to attach which will give us an adaptive advantage, making us more likely to survive
• Social releasers: Babies have social releasers, which unlock the innate tendency of adults to care for them e.g crying

Question 3

Brazleton et al- support for social releasers

Answer 3

• He observed mothers and babies interacting with each other through interactional synchrony and reciprocity
• When the primary attachment figure ignored the babies’ signals, they initially showed distress, however some responded by curling up or lying motionless
• This highlight social releasers in action, through the baby attempting to get the attention of the caregiver

Question 4

Bailey et al- support for internal working model

Answer 4

• He tested the relationship between 99 mothers and their 1 year old child on the quality of their attachment using a standard interview procedure
• He also tested the relationship between the mother and her own parents
• It was found that the mothers who reported poor attachment to their parents were much more likely to have children classified as poor according to the observations
• This supports the idea of attachment quality being passed through families