Evaluating Explanations Of Attachment: Bowlby's Theory

Question 1

Multiple attachment vs. Monotropy:

Grossmann and Grossman (1991)

Answer 1

Fathers have a key role in secondary attachments and in social development. Secondary attachments contribute to the social development but healthy development only requires one central person that’s ‘higher’ than all others in the hierarchy.

Question 2

Continuity hypothesis:

Sroufe et al. (2005)

Answer 2

This study followed participants from infancy to adolescence and found continuity between early attachment and later emotional/social behaviour. Those classified as securely attached in infancy were hugest rated for socials competence later in childhood

Question 3

An alternative explanation:

Kagan (1984)

Answer 3

proposed that an infant’s innate emotional personality (TEMPERAMENT) may explain attachment behaviour. Those with an ‘easy’ temperament are more likely to become strongly attached due to being easier to interact with but those who are ‘difficult’ are often insecurely attached