Bowlbys monotropic theory of attachment (1958)

According to Bowlby, attachment is said to be biological and instinctive.

There is an evolutionary advantage to forming attachments.

1) Attachment has a survival value - he believed that babies' behaviour has evolved to behave towards their primary care givers in ways that ensure their survival. Infants who stay close to their mother are more likely to avoid dangers and thus survive until sexual maturity. Infants are born with a drive to become attached. They encourage care giving from others by social releasers such as facial features, smiles and cries. Bonds are formed with adults who are most sensitive to these social releasers.

2) The relationship with the mother acts as a template or model or later relationships. This template is termed an 'internal working model'.  Bowlby believed that infants form one special relationship (monotropy) and that this attachment is important in influencing the quality of later social and emotional relationships.

3) There is a critical…