Explanations of Attachment - Bowlby’s Theory

Question 1

Bowlby (1988) monotropic theory

Answer 1

Bond with the mother-figure is unique and the more time spent with the mother-figure, the better the quality of attachment (law of continuity and accumulated separation)

Question 2

Social releasers

Answer 2

Babies are born with innate ‘cute’ behaviours that encourage adult social interaction

Question 3

Critical period

Answer 3

Infant attachment system most active at 6 months

Question 4

Internal working model

Answer 4

First attachment is a blueprint for future relationships. Child forms a mental representation of their relationship with their primary caregiver

Question 5

Strengths of Bowlby (1988)

Answer 5

• Supportive evidence (eg. Brazelton observed babies trigger interactions with adults using social releasers and if ignored become distressed)
• Supportive evidence for IWM (eg. Bailey found mothers with poor attachment to their own primary attachment figures were more likely to have poorly attached babies)

Question 6

Limitations of Bowlby (1988)

Answer 6

• Lacks validity (eg. Schaffer & Emerson found multiple, not monotropic attachments were most common)
• Social sensitivity (eg. Mothers blamed for anything that goes wrong)