Explanations of attachment: Bowlby's Theory Flashcards
A01
Explain Bowlby’s theory for Attachment
> Bowlby Rejected learning theory as explanation of attachment
Looked at animal studies for support
Proposed- an evolutionary explanation for attachment:
attachment is innate system that gives survival advantages
A01
Outline 4 principles of Bowlby’s Theory of attachment
(Acronym)
- Adaptive
- Social releasers
- Critical perod
- Monotropy
- Internal working model
ASCMI
A01
What does Adaptive stand for
Adaptive
Bowlby proposed-attachments are inate,gives us survival advantages
A01
Explain Bowlby’s Monotropic theory
> Bowley monotropic theory of attachment
Focuses on idea- form an evolutionary based attachment to one primary caregiver
placed great emphasis on a childs attachment to one particular caregiver, mother
A01 Define
Monotropy
Unique strong attachment to a single caregiver, the mother
A01
Outline Social releasers according to Bowlby
Bowlby suggested Babies are born with inate ‘cute’ behaviours like ‘smiling, gripping’ - encourages attention from adult-social releasers
>Their purpose is to activate adults social interactions & make adult attach to baby
A01
Outline Critical Period according to Bowlby
critical period-6 months
>When infants attachment system is active
>If attachment not formed in this time-will struggle to form one
>Bowlby later viewed it as sensitive period where an attachment can still form, although it takes longer) of up to 5 years.
critical period is period we must form an attachment within
A01
Outline The role of IWM according to Bowlby
Bowlby proposed a Child forms a mental representation of their relationship with primary attachment figure
> serves as a model to show what relationships are like
> child experience of lovable relationship with PCG form expectation all relationships are loving, will bring qualities with them vise versa
>IWM affects children’s ability to be parent, base their parenting behaviour on own experiences
Internal working model (IWM) our mental representation of world, our relationships to primary attachment figure
A03
Explain how the Validity of Monotropy is Challenged (limitation)
Schaffer & Emerson
Concept of monotropy-lacks validity
>Schaffer & Emerson found sig minority babies formed multiple attachments with people
>found first attachment had strong influence ,but not different in quality from child’s other attachments
> secondary attachments provide same key qualities, emotional support, safe base
> Bowlby incorrect-there’s no unique quality & importance to child’s primary attachment figure
A03
Outline research Support For Social releasers-Brazelton
Strength
Theres evidence that cute baby behaviours designed to elicit interaction from caregivers
Brazelton
Observed baby triggers in interactions with adults using social releasers
researchers instructed babies primary attachment figures to ignore babies social releasers, babies who originally were responsive became distressed
> his study -illustrates role of social releasers in emotional development & importance of attachment developement
A03
Outline research Support for Internal working model-Bailey et al
Idea of IWM predicts patterns of attachment will be passed from one generation to next
Bailey et al- assessed attachment relationships-99 mothers and 1 year old babies
>measured mothers attachment to own primary attachment figures(parents)
>assed quality of attachment to babies
> mothers with poor attachment to parents-poorly attached babies
>Supports Bowlbys idea that mothers ability to form attachment is influenced by IWMs
A03
Outline how Gender bias is a limitation of Bowlbys theory of attachment
Criticised as suffering from Beta bias(gender bias)
>exaggerated difference between role of father & mother
Suggested fathers role -Only to provide resources for fam
>lacks temporal validity
>as in modern society-men have equal part in care
