Bowlby's theory of attactment Flashcards
what is Bowlby’s monotropic theory
the idea that an attachment is formed in order for an infant to survive
outline Bowlby’s explanation surrounding why attachments formed
1) attachment behavior evolved as it serves an important survival function
2) an infant who is not attached is less protected
3) attachment must be formed in 2 directions- parents must also be attached in order to ensure infants are cared for and survive
4) only parents who look after their offspring that are likely to produce new generations
define critical period
a biologically determined period of time during which certain characteristics can develop- outside of this period such development is not possible
define the continuity hypothesis
the idea that emotionally secure infants go onto to be emotionally secure, trusting and confident adults
define the internal working model
a mental model of the world which enables individuals to predict and control their environment- relates to a persons expectations around about relationships
define monotropy
the idea that one relationship that the infant has with the primary attachment figure is of special significance in emotional development
what is a social releaser
a social behaviour or characteristic that elicits caregiving and leads to attachment
outline how Bowlby stated how attachments are formed surrounding the critical period
1) infants have an innate drive to become attached, these behaviors have a special time period of the critical period, infants who don’t have the opportunity to form attachments in this time seem to have difficulty forming attachments later on
2) Bowlby proposed attachments is determined by sensitivity, mothers who are more responsive, cooperative, and accessible formed stronger attachments than those who weren’t
outline how Bowlby explained the formation of attachment using social releasers
1) important in ensuring an attachment forms between both parent and infant
2) one mechanism is social releases, such as smiling or large eyes which elicit a caregiving response
3) these are an innate mechanism that explains how attachments to an infant are formed
how is an attachment to an infant formed
- social releasers
outline the formation of an attachments using monotropy
1) proposed that infants have a special emotional bond known as monotherapy
2) this individual is often the infant’s mother but not always
3) infants may also form secondary attachments that provide social security
outline the consequences of attachment according to Bowlby
1) the formation of a monotropic bond forms a mental representation of what a relationship should be called the internal working model
2) in the short term it enables the infant to influence caregivers behavior so a true partnership can be formed
3) in the long term it acts as a template for all future relationships
4) the continuity hypothesis states that individuals strongly attached in infancy continue these behaviors into adult hood increasing the ability to form healthy confident relationships
evaluate Bowlby’s monotropic attachment theory
1) research support for the continuity hypothesis= research study followed PPS from infancy to late adolescence and found continuity between early attachment and later social and emotional behavior. individuals classed as securely attached were highest rated in social competence later in childhood, were less isolated, and more empathetic
2) sensitive vs critical period- according to Bowlby it is impossible to form attachments after a critical period however studies on children who failed to form an attachment in this time show its only true to an extent, it appears attachments are less likely to form after this period but not impossible- the developmental window is where children are most receptive to the formation but development can take place outside this window
3) attachment is adaptive- Bowlby stated attachment develops when an infant is older than 3 months. this is a late mechanism to protect infants- distant ancestors it would have been vital to attach as soon as they are born. the age of attachment may be linked to features of the species life- it’s not vital when mothers carry their babies but is when they start crawling- therefore his theory is adaptive
plan a 16 marker on Bowlby’s monotropic theory
AO1
- formation of attachment
- how attachments form-critical period, social releases, monotherapy
- consequences of attachment - internal working model, continuity hypothesis
AO3
- attachment is adaptive
- sensitive period vs critical period s
- research support for continuity hypothesis
