Expalnations For Attachment : Bowlbys Theory

Question 1

Why did bowlby reject learning theory as an explanation for attachment

Answer 1

Because if it was true an 1-2 year old would take readily to anyone that feeds it

Question 2

What was bowlbys theory

Answer 2

Attachment develops to keep babies safe
Attachment is innate

Question 3

What are the 3 components of bowlbys monotropic theory

Answer 3

Monotropy
Social releasers
Internal working model

Question 4

What is the monotropy element to bowlbys theory

Answer 4

Placed emphasis on the child’s attachment to one particular caregiver
As it is different and more important
The more time spent with them the better

Question 5

What are the 2 aspects within monotropy

Answer 5

The law of continuity
The law of accumulated separation

Question 6

What is the law of continuity

Answer 6

The more constant and predictable the child’s care the better quality of attachment

Question 7

What is the law of accumulated separation

Answer 7

The effects of every separation to the pcg add up
Safest dose is 0

Question 8

What are social releasers

Answer 8

Innate cute behaviours (smiling cooing etc) to encourage attention from adults
Purpose is to activate adult interaction

Question 9

What did bowlby say about critical periods

Answer 9

6 months - sensitive period (best chance of attachment)
Critical period of 2 years if not then harder to make attachment

Question 10

What is the internal working model

Answer 10

A mental representation the child forms from their pcg for later attachments

Eg - if a child has a loving pcg they expect this from later attachments
Of their pcg is abusive they will expect this later on

Question 11

What is the limitation for bowlbys theory of monotropy

Answer 11

Lacks validity
Shaffer and Emerson found a significant minority formed attachments to multiple people therefore the uniqueness of the child’s primary attachment is overstressed by bowlby

Question 12

What is the strength for social releasers

Answer 12

Supporting evidence
Brazelton - babies trigger reactions with adults
When adults ignored the babies they become increasingly distressed

Question 13

What is the strength for the internal working model

Answer 13

Supporting evidence
Bailey - assessed attachment on 99 mothers and their one year olds
Mothers with poor attachments to THEIR pcgs had worse attachments to their children