Explanations of attachment: Bowlby's monotropic theory

Question 1

what is a strength of this theory

Answer 1

• research support for internal working model
• research support: continuity hypothesis

Question 2

what research supports the internal working model

Answer 2

Bailey and Hazan & Shaver

Question 3

what did Bailey find and how did it support the idea of internal working model

Answer 3

• Bailey studied 99 mothers and found that those with poor attachment to their own parents were more likely to infants which were poorly attached
• this shows that attachment affects future relationships and it is being passed down through families, supporting the idea of the internal working model

Question 4

what did Hazan & Shaver find and how did it support the internal working model

Answer 4

• Hazan & Shaver did a love quiz and found people with a good attachment during childhood were more likely to have good romantic relationships which lasted longer whereas those with a poor attachment during childhood had negative romantic relationships experiences which lasted less time
• this shows early attachment type influences future relationships supporting the idea of an internal working model

Question 5

what are some limitations of the theory

Answer 5

alternative explanation

Question 6

what is the alternative explanation to this theory and what does it propose

Answer 6

Temperament theory:
- Kagan proposed that an infant innate personality would explain their attachment behaviour
- infants with an easy temperament were more likely to become strongly attached whereas those with a more difficult temperament were more likely to become insecure attached

Question 7

what research supports the temperament theory

Answer 7

Belsky & Rovine

Question 8

what did Belsky & Rovine find and what did it show

Answer 8

found infants who had signs of behavioural instability were later judged to be more likely to have developed an insecure attachment