Explanation of attachment: Bowlby's theory

Question 1

Monotropic

Answer 1

Bowlby’s theory described as monotropic

- one particular attachment is different from all others and of central importance to the child’s development

Question 2

2 principles to clarify Bowlby’s monotropic theory

Answer 2

• The law of continuity - that the more constant and predictable a child’s care, the better quality of their attachment
• The law of accumulated separation stated that the effects of every separation from the mother add up ‘and the safest dose is therefore a zero dose’

Question 3

Social releasers

Answer 3

• babies are born with a set of innate ‘cute’ behaviours like smiling, cooing and gripping that encourage attention from adults
• purpose is to activate adult attention system
• attachment was a reciprocal process
• mother and baby have an innate predisposition to become attached and social releasers trigger that response in caregivers

Question 4

Critical period

Answer 4

• interplay between infant and adult attachment systems gradually builds the relationship between infant and caregiver, beginning in early weeks of life
• around 2 years when the infant attachment system is active
• viewed more of a sensitive period

Question 5

Internal working model

Answer 5

The mental representations we all carry with us of our attachment to our primary caregiver
Important in affecting our future relationships because they carry our perception of what relationships are like