Developmental: Bowlbys Theory Of Attachment Flashcards
What does Bowlby believe are the different components of attachment?
- Innate
- Critical/sensitive period
- Social releasers
- Monotropy
- Internal Working Model
- Continuity hypothesis
What does Bowlby mean by innate period?
Bowlby argues attachments have evolved to ensure survival of infants and we are born with the instinct to form attachment.
What is the critical/sensitive period?
This attachment has to be made in the first few years of life
What is social releasers?
Babies elicit behaviours which instinctively make carers respond
What is monotropy?
One single attachment is most important
What is the internal working model?
This key attachment forms the basis for all future attachments
What is the continuity hypothesis?
The attachment will continue with the next generation of children
What did Schaffer and Emersons find that undermines monotropy?
Showed nearly a third of babies formed multiple attachments, in which there seemed no preference in attachment figures, and common as infants grew. Undermines monotropy.
What’s an evaluation that supports innate attachments?
No direct evidence of a gene/genes for attachment
What’s a study that supports the internal working model?
Sroufe found early attachment types predicted later emotional and social behaviours (e.g. secure infants were more likely to be popular)
What study undermines the sensitive period?
The Czech twins were abused since birth and completely neglected. At the age of 14, were able to form meaningful attachments after love.
