Explanations of attachment: Bowlby's theory

?
  • Created by: IvyVega
  • Created on: 17-05-18 12:33
attachment is innate, like imprinting
Bowlby gave an evolutionary explantion: that attachment is an innate system that gives a survival advantage. imprinting and attachment evolved because they ensure young animals stay close to their caregivers and this protects them from hazards.
1 of 9
monotropic= a primary attachment figure
Bowlby's theory is described as monotropic because of the emphasis on the child's attachment to one caregiver. this attachment is different from others and more important.
2 of 9
more time spent with the mother-figure is beneficial
Bowlby believed that the more time a baby spent with this primary attachment figure/mother figure the better. there are two main reasons: law of continuity and law of accumulated separation.
3 of 9
babies are born with social releasers.
Bowbly suggested that babies are born with a set of innate cute behaviors that encourage attention from adults. the purpose of these social releasers is to activate the adult attachment system, bowlby recognised that attachment is a reciprocal system
4 of 9
there is a critical period
Bowlby proposed that there is a critical period of about two years when the infant attachment system is active. in fact, he viewed this as more of a sensitive period. a child is maximally sensitive up to the age of two years.
5 of 9
the first attachment forms an internal working model of relationships.
bowlby argued that the child forms a mental representation of the relationship with their primary attachment figure. this internal working model serves as a template for what relationships are like.
6 of 9
strength 1- clear evidence
brazleton et al (1974) instructed primary attachment figures to ignore their babies social releasers. babies initially showed some distress, but eventually some curled up and lay motionless.
7 of 9
strength 2- support
Bailey et al (2007) studied 99 mothers, those with poor attachment to own parents were more likely to have one year olds who were poorly attached.
8 of 9
limitation 1- overemphasised
an alternative explanation is that the child's temperament is important in the development of social behaviours. temperamental differences rather than the quality of attachment can explain later social behaviours.
9 of 9

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Bowlby's theory is described as monotropic because of the emphasis on the child's attachment to one caregiver. this attachment is different from others and more important.

Back

monotropic= a primary attachment figure

Card 3

Front

Bowlby believed that the more time a baby spent with this primary attachment figure/mother figure the better. there are two main reasons: law of continuity and law of accumulated separation.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Bowbly suggested that babies are born with a set of innate cute behaviors that encourage attention from adults. the purpose of these social releasers is to activate the adult attachment system, bowlby recognised that attachment is a reciprocal system

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Bowlby proposed that there is a critical period of about two years when the infant attachment system is active. in fact, he viewed this as more of a sensitive period. a child is maximally sensitive up to the age of two years.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Psychology resources:

See all Psychology resources »See all Attachment resources »