The Evolutionary Theory of Attachment Flashcards
Who devised the Evolutionary Theory?
Bowlby
Evolutionary Theory suggests, ‘Attachment is…’
Attachment is biologically pre-programmed into children at birth
What characteristics does the Evolutionary theory give attachment? (2)
- Encoded into human genes
- Evolves and persists because it is advantageous to survival (evolutionarily useful)
What do Infants emit from birth with adults are biologically attuned to according to the theory?
Social releasers
Give two examples of social releasers
- Physical appearance
2. Behaviours - crying, smiling etc.
What is the desired impact of social releasers
to stimulate caregiving from adults
What is the significance of adults being biologically attuned to the social releasers of infants when it comes to attachment?
Infants are programmed to attach to whoever responds to their releasing stimuli
What is the term used for an infant selecting one special attachment?
Monotropy
What does the Monotropy figure act as for the infant?
A safe base for exploring the world
What are the 4 main predictions of the Evolutionary Theory?
- Attachments will form with those who respond to the child’s signal
- Attachment will correlate with other aspects of biological development
- There will be a special attachment figure that is more important than the others (Monotropy)
- Disruption of attachment will have developmental consequences
Summarize the Evolutionary Theory
The evolutionary theory states that attachment is BIOLOGICALLY PRE-PROGRAMMED into children at birth, ENCODED in the human genes and it continues to evolve and persists because it is ADVANTAGEOUS TO SURVIVAL.
Infants emit SOCIAL RELEASERS which adults are BIOLOGICALLY ATTUNED to, stimulating care-giving instincts. Infants are programmed to attach to whoever responds to their releasing stimuli. They select one special attachment figure who is used as a safe base, this is defined as MONOTROPY. The primary attachment is a TEMPLATE for future social relationships and disruption of these will have DEVELOPMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
Define the Key Term,
Innate Programming
Infants are born programmed to attach and adults are programmed to attach to their young because attachment has long-term survival benefits
- infants emit social releasers that provoke
caregiving responses from adults and this helps
the attachment processes
Define the Key Term,
Critical Period
Between 0-2.5years attachments must form. If the attachment between child and caregiver is disrupted within the first 3 years of life then the child will suffer permanent emotional damage, which, if severe, could lead to affectionless psychopathology
What could a severe disruption of attachment in the critical period lead to?
Affectionless psychopathology
Define the Key Term,
Monotropy
Innate selection of one primary caregiver (the one who is most responsive to the needs of the child. The infant is biased towards this individual.
Evidence for Monotropy…
+Schaffer and Emerson (1964) conducted a longitudinal study using 60 Scottish babies. Thy found evidence of multiple attachments; although the infants had one main object of attachment, supporting the idea of monotropy
What two factors of developmental attachment have Schaffer and Emerson conducted research into?
Their 1964 study can be used to support the idea of Monotropy in the Evolutionary theory. It can also be used to highlight a weakness of the learning theory.
How many babies were used in Schaffer and Emerson’s 19964 longitudinal study?
60
Why is Monotropy criticised and how does Schaffer and Emerson’s research contribute to this?
It is heavily criticised for ignoring the roles of fathers and siblings
Schaffer and Emerson reported that the strongest bond was not always with the mother and they also found that the primary attachment was down to quality of time spent with the child, not quantity
What is the Continuity Hypothesis?
States that the primary attachment relationship provides an internal working model of what future relationships will be like
According to the Continuity Hypothesis, describe the psychology of a securely attached child
Securely attached infants with an emotionally responsive caregiver develop a positive internal working model and will be emotionally competent in the future
According to the Continuity Hypothesis, describe the psychology of an insecurely attached child
Insecurely attached infants will develop a negative internal working model and will have emotional difficulties in the future
Describe Sroufe’s research into supporting the Continuity Hypothesis
Sroufe et al (2005)
Carried out a longitudinal study from infancy through to late adolescence. They found that securely attached infants went on to have high social and emotional competence
Which two researchers conducted supporting research into the continuity hypothesis? (3 people)
Hazan and Shaver (1987) - Love Quiz
Sroufe et al (2005) - longitudinal study
Describe Hazan and Shaver’s 1987 research into the Continuity hypothesis
The asked people to respond to a ‘Love Quiz’ in the newspaper
What were the findings of Hazan and Shavers 1987 Love Quiz study?
- Strong relationship between childhood relationships (with parents) and future romantic relationships
- Securely attached participants tended to trust others and have a belief in everlasting love
Which 2 pieces of research highlight weaknesses in the continuity hypothesis
Zimmerman et al (2000)
Rutter and Quinton (1988)
Name the researchers involved with the evidence for and against the continuity hypotesis
For
Sroufe et al (2005)
Hazan and Shaver (1987)
Against
Zimmerman et al (2000)
Rutter and Quinton (1988)
Describe the Zimmerman et al (2000) study into the Continuity hypothesis
-Longitudinal study of 44 German children found that serious events, such as parents divorcing, were better predictors of adolescent behaviour/relationships than childhood attachment types
How many children were used in Zimmerman’s study and what nationality were they?
44 German children
Describe the Rutter and Quinton (1988) study into the continuity hypothesis
-Found that women who had difficult childhood experiences were secure in their later relationships if they had positive experiences at school or in later life
