Chapter 3 Attachment - Explanations of attachment: Bowlby's theory

Question 1

Bowlby’s theory for attachment - Monotropy?

Answer 1

One particular attachment is different in quality & importance than others.

Question 2

Bowlby’s theory for attachment - Social releasers & the critical period?

Answer 2

• Innate cute behaviours elicit care.
• Critical period up to 6 months, possible extending to 2 years.

Question 3

Bowlby’s theory for attachment - Internal working model?

Answer 3

Mental representation of the primary attachment relationship is a template for future relationships.

Question 4

Evaluation of Bowlby’s attachment theory - Validity of monotropy challenged? L

Answer 4

The primary attachment may be stronger but not different in nature.

Question 5

Evaluation of Bowlby’s attachment theory - Support for social releasers? S

Answer 5

Babies became upset when attachment figure ignored social releasers (Brazelton et al).

Question 6

Evaluation of Bowlby’s attachment theory - Support for internal working model? S

Answer 6

• Quality of attachment is passed on through generations (Bailey et al).
• CP is that the IWM ignores other factors (e.g. genetic) in social behaviour & parenting (Kornienko).

Question 7

Evaluation of Bowlby’s attachment theory - Feminist concerns? X

Answer 7

Bowlby’s views imply that mothers shouldn’t work outside the home (Burman), but Bowlby also gave the mother’s role greater credit and the theory had real-world applications.

Question 8

Evaluations of Bowlby’s attachment theory? (SSLX)

Answer 8

S - Support for social releasers
S - Support for internal working model
L - Validity of monotropy challenged
X - Feminist concerns