Explanations Of Attachment: Bowlby’s Theory Content Flashcards
What kind of theory is bowlbys monotropic theory?
An evolutionary theory
What is Bowlby’s theory main principle?
Strong attachment and the consequences of this attachment are adaptive
Where does the idea of adaptiveness come from?
Darwin’s theory of evolution, stating that any genetically determined behaviours/traits that put our ancestors at a survival advantage will be selected, showing how attachment has developed through time
Why has attachment evolved?
As it is adaptive, it promotes survival through providing a secure base
What is a monotropic bond?
One, special, unique, emotional bond that the infant needs to develop an internal working model and emotional maturity
What are 3 features of Bowlby’s evolutionary theory of attachment?
. Infants have an innate tendency to form attachment
. Attachment is inborn, biological, pre-programmed, it isn’t learnt
. No reinforcement, attachment is naturally present in both infants and mothers
How does the process of evolution work?
. Useful features are introduced into a species if:
. they help the animal survive long enough to successfully reproduce
. Animals need to be well-adapted to their environment
What is the mnemonic to remembers Bowlby’s monotropic theory?
M-onotropic bond
I-nnate
C-ritical period
I-nternal working model
S-ocial releasers
How does Bowlby use the critical period to explain how attachment forms?
As babies have an INNATE drive to become attached, there is a critical period for this development to occur
- critical period: first 2.5 years of life
- if attachment isn’t formed in this time, the child would be damaged emotionally, socially, intellectually and physically for life
What should the critical period according to Bowlby really be known as?
The sensitive period as as an infant’s maximum sensitivity is at 2 years, and if attachment wasn’t formed in the period, it made it very difficult for the infants to attach later on in life, showing that sensitivity must be shown during this period for attachment to occur. Bowlby also proposed that attachment was determined by the sensitivity of care
Where did Bowlby’s view that sensitivity determines attachment come from?
Influenced by Mary Ainsworth whose observations of mothers led her to suggest the infants who seemed most strongly attached were the ones whose mothers were more responsive and more accessible.
Why is Bowlby’s theory described as monotropic?
He placed great emphasis on the attachment to one particular caregiver
- he called this caregiver the ‘mother’ but it was clear it didn’t have to be the biological mother, but just the primary attachment figure
What principles did Bowlby put forward to show that the longer an infant spent with its mother, the better?
- Law of continuity - the more constant and predictable a child’s care, the better the quality of attachment
- Law of accumulated separation - the effects of every separation from the mother added up so ‘the safest dose is therefore a zero dose.’
What did Bowlby call social releasers?
The inborn set of innate behavioural ‘cues’ babies show such as smiling that encourage attention from adults
Why did Bowlby call them social releasers?
They activated the adults attachment system e.g made them feel love towards the baby as he recognised attachment was a reciprocal process
