Explanation of Attachment: Bowlby’s Theory Flashcards
outline the basics of Bowlby’s theory of monotropy (1969)
5
attachments are formed to ensure our survival and protect us from harm
an infant that is not attached is less likely to be cared for and protected, which is why it is vital that attachments are reciprocal — parents must be attached to the infant in order to care for them and help them survive
attachments are adaptive and innate
a similar process to imprinting in animals happens in humans
5 main features of Bowlby’s theory... • monotropy • critical period • internal working model • social releasers • continuity hypothesis
how do attachments form according to Bowlby’s theory? (big three concepts)
5
Bowlby established the concept of MONOTROPY which is the idea that the relationship an infant has with their primary attachment figure is of special significance in emotional development
monotropy should form during the CRITICAL PERIOD which is a biologically determined period of time (around 3-6 months) in which attachments develop, if they do not develop during this period then they’ll struggle to be formed in the future
if an attachment is formed during the critical period this leads to the formation of a successful INTERNAL WORKING MODEL which is a mental model of the world that relates to a person’s expectations about future relationships (eg what they should be like, how they should behave in one)
early attachments act as a template for future relationships
IWM also enables infants to predict and influence caregiver behaviour so that a true, reciprocal partnership can form (social releases are used in this process)
Bowlby’s theory (continued): social releasers and the continuity hypothesis
5
social releasers are social behaviours or characteristics used by infants, such as smiling, that elicit caregiving and lead to attachment
important during the critical period as it ensures that a reciprocal attachment develops between the caregiver and infant
this explains how attachments to infants are formed
the continuity hypothesis is the idea that emotionally secure infants who are strongly attached will go on to be emotionally secure, trusting and socially confident adults
there is continuity from infancy and early attachment type to adulthood
x3 evaluation points
support from Harlow
support from Minnesota child study
challenged by Schaffer and Emerson
EVALUATION
support from Harlow
6
a strength of Bowlby’s theory is that it is supported by Harlow’s research
Harlow used monkeys in his research and found that when he released them back into their natural habitat they behaved abnormally and struggled to form relationships with other monkeys
this supports Bowlby’s theory because it suggests that early attachments impact future relationships, which is a key aspect of Bowlby’s theory
not having a stable caregiver to form a stable attachment to during the critical period affects the internal working model, thus impacting how future relationships are formed
the monkeys did not have a real caregiver, only a wire mother, which also demonstrates the importance of reciprocal attachments
therefore, Bowlby’s theory can claim reliability due to the existence of supporting research and can be said to be very useful in explaining attachments
EVALUATION
challenged by Schaffer and Emerson
5
Schaffer and Emerson found that infants formed multiple attachments and that this was the norm
within a month of first becoming attached, 29% of infants had formed an attachment to someone else like a sibling or grandparent
within six months, this had risen to 78% and by the age of 1, a third of infants had formed five or more secondary attachments
this challenges Bowlby’s theory because it contradicts the idea of having one special and significant bond to a primary attachment figure and instead suggests that multiple attachments are the norm
therefore, the theory may have limited usefulness in explaining attachments and should be viewed with caution when doing so as challenging research reduces its reliability
EVALUATION
support from the Minnesota child study
4
the study followed participants from infancy to late adolescence and found continuity between early attachments and later emotional/social behaviour
for example, infants with secure attachments were rated highest for social competence and grew up to be more popular and empathetic
this supports Bowlby’s theory by establishing a link between early and later attachments, which Bowlby explained through the continuity hypothesis
therefore, his theory can be said to have increased usefulness in explaining attachments due to supporting research that gives it reliability
EVALUATION
double for Harlow’s research
3
however, Harlow’s research may not be able to effectively support Bowlby’s theory because it was an animal study
animals are not as complex as humans, they do not have language developments or free will which means any findings may be limited in their ability to explain human attachments
subsequently, Harlow’s study may not be able to effectively support Bowlby’s theory, leading to the theory being limited in its ability to explain attachment in humans as it is supported by questionable research
