Explanations of Attachment

Question 1

Learning Theory

Answer 1

• Proposes attachments are formed through food e.g. cupboard love theory
• Classical theory. Food, which naturally gives pleasure, paired with the caregiver, creates caregiver becoming conditioned stimulus
• Operant conditioning; neg rein, pos rein. Comforting infants leads to no crying so behaviour is repeated (neg rein)

Question 2

Learning Theory Evaluation

Answer 2

+ Founded in established theory and provides some useful information about learning through association

• Schaffer and Emerson found 39% of cases, mother was not main attachment, suggesting feeding is not main explanation
• Lorenz’s goslings imprinted on him before being fed, and Harlow’s monkeys preferred TM regardless of milk so food is not primary reason
• Reductionist/over simplistic. LT only considers food as driving force, not other factors like developing reciprocity or sensitive responding

Question 3

Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory

Answer 3

• The idea that infants have an innate tendency to make an initial attachment with 1 figure (usually the mother)
• Allows for continuous care and keeps separations to a minimum.

Social Releasers - Innate social behaviours that stimulate adult interactions and caregiving. e.g. crying attracts parents attention to stop it and clinging gains physical contact and closeness.

Question 4

Critical Period

Answer 4

• Bowlby saw attachment behaviours as useless to most children if delayed to 12 months and useless for all children if delayed to 2 and a half years

Question 5

Internal Working Model

Answer 5

• Infants have innate tendency to become attached to one particular adult who interacts with them the most sensitively.
• A childs attachment provides a template for future relationships based on infants primary attachments. If attachments are of of poor quality, then so will their future relationships.

Question 6

Evaluation of Bowbly’s Theory

Answer 6

+ Brazelton found when parents were told to ignore social releasers, babies responded in a very negative way, i.e. laying motionless. Suggests social relaxers are very important in forming attachments.

+ Bailey found mothers who reported poor attachment in their own mothers had a poor attachment to their child. Supports IWM.

• Idea of ‘monotropy’ is socially sensitive as it places a lot of pressure on the mother to be sensitive, loving etc..
• Contradictory evidence. Schaffer and Emerson found 39% of cases had attachments to people other than mother and that multiple attachments are the norm.
• Economic implications; mothers should stay at home and not return to employment according to Bowbly’s theory