A01

• Bowlby rejected learning theory and proposed an evolutionary explanation for attachment, ensuring young animals stay close to caregivers for survival. His monotropic theory emphasises a child's attachment to a primary caregiver, regardless of biological relation, advocating consistent care for optimal attachment quality. Bowlby highlighted two principles: the law of continuity, emphasising consistent care's positive impact, and the law of accumulated separation, suggesting prolonged separations impair attachment.
• Babies exhibit innate "cute" behaviours (social releasers), to draw attention from adults and encourage attachment. Attachment forms through the interplay between baby and caregiver attachment systems, with a critical/sensitive period around six months and extends to the age of two. Failure to form an attachment during this period hinders later attachment formation.
• Children develop internal working models based on early attachment experiences, influencing future relationships and parenting behaviours. Positive early relationships foster expectations of love and reliability, while negative experiences may lead to dysfunctional relationship patterns across generations. These models significantly impact individuals' ability to form and maintain relationships and influence their parenting styles based on their own upbringing experiences.