Social Development

Question 1

Name and describe a study which disproves Freud and the Learning Theorists

Answer 1

Harlow 1958
Studied rhesus monkeys to see if food was the main determinant of attachment.
Found comfort more important than food as monkey spent most time on terry cloth covered monkey

Question 2

Outline Bowlby’s/Evolutionary theory of attachment

Answer 2

A - adaptive
S - social releasers 
C - critical period
M - monotropism
I - internal working model

Question 3

Discuss Bowlby’s idea that attachments are adaptive

Answer 3

Attachments provide evolutionary advantage as it increases our chances of survival
Lorenz - geese study and imprinting

Question 4

Discuss Bowlby’s idea of social releasers

Answer 4

Social releasers are there to help attachments form. By displaying behaviours such as cuddling and cooing, babies make it more likely for an adult to give them a response

Question 5

Discuss Bowlby’s idea of a critical period

Answer 5

Critical period lasted the first two and a half years of a child’s life. Burly believed if an attachment was not formed in this period, it never would

Question 6

Discus Bowlby’s idea of monotropism

Answer 6

Bowlby believed an attachment to the main caregiver (mother usually) is the most important and all others are of less importance

Question 7

What did Freud and Learning theorists state about attachments

Answer 7

Freud-attachments formed due to feeding (cupboard love theory)
Learning theorists - attachment formed due to reinforcement through feeding. Mother associated with comfort only because of food