Bowlby's Theory of Attachment Flashcards
What was Bowlby’s first phase of attachment?
During the first few months of life, a baby will respond indiscriminately towards any adult.
What was Bowlby’s second phase of attachment?
At 3-6 months old, a baby will direct behaviour more towards the primary caregiver, using social releasers such as crying and smiling to promote proximity and an intimate response.
What was Bowlby’s third phase of attachment?
At 6 months the baby will show intense attachment to the primary caregiver, treating them as a safe base when exploring. They will seek the caregiver when distressed as a source of comfort and show distress upon separation and strangers.
What does the mnemonic ASCMI stand for?
Adaptive Social Releasers Critical Period Monotropy Internal Working Model
Which 3 elements of Bowlby’s theory have evolutionary roots?
Adaptive, Social Releasers, Critical Period
Which 2 elements have psychodynamic roots?
Monotropy, Internal Working Model
What is the adaptive element?
An innate tendency to form attachments to their primary caregiver. This gives us an ‘adaptive advantage’ making us more likely to survive. Helps the infant keep safe, get food and keep warm.
How does Lorenz (1952) support the adaptive element?
He showed how animals use imprinting as a survival tool. The fact that the animals in his research imprinted straight away shows that attachment is adaptive.
What is the social releasers element?
Babies have social releasers which ‘unlock’ the innate tendency of adults to care for them. They are physical: baby face, and behavioural: crying/smiling
What other feature does the social releasers element include?
Providing a safe haven when the child is afraid. They can return to the attachment figure for comfort. The caregiver is treated as a secure base when the child explores.
How does Harlow support the safe base feature of the social releaser element?
Harlow found that rhesus monkeys who sought comfort from cloth covered monkeys were better adjusted psychically and mentally, suggesting that comfort is important - not just food.
What is the critical period?
Where babies have to form an attachment in order to promote healthy development during the first 2-3 years of life
What happens if attachments aren’t formed in the critical period?
The child doesn’t develop socially, emotionally, intellectually or physically. They may also struggle to form attachments beyond this point.
What is monotropy?
Bowlby believed that infants form one very special attachment with their mother. This special, intense attachment is monotropy.
According to Bowlby, what does monotropy mean when the mother isn’t present?
The infant could bond with another ever-present, adult, mother substitute.
