Bowlby's theory

• Explain Bowlby's Explanation for attachment

  • It is an evolutionary theory states that we attach because it puts us at an advantage for survival. Consists of different components...

  1. Adaptive
  2. 2. Social Releasers
  3. 3. Critical period
  4. 4. Monotropy
  5. 5. Internal Working Model
• Explain 1. Adaptive

  This refers to the evolutionary nature of attachment and that we have adapted over time to form attachments by means of social releasers, monotropy and critical periods which lead to the development of the internal working model (IWM)
• Explain 2. Social Releasers

  These are innate characteristics and behaviours that we have developed to elicit affection and reaction from caregivers. For example, infants will coo and display behaviours that increase the attention and affection they will receive from their caregiver. This is an evolutionary trait that we have developed so that caregivers will want to take care of us as infants.
• Explain 3. Critical Period

  This is the time in which it is very important that we make an attachment. Bowlby suggested that this period lasts until 5 years of age, however, 6 months is the time in which it is very important to form a primary attachment. If deprived of a caregiver or privated beyond this period - the emotional and intelligence development of the infant will be hugely impacted.
• Explain 4. Monotropy

  Bowlby suggests that it is very important for the infants to have a primary attachment to their mother or else their development will be severely impacted and that this attachment is the most important one
• Explain 5. IWM

  This is the idea that we create a framework for all future relationships based off of our attachment to our mother. Therefore, the attachment we form to our mothers (caregivers) during the critical period will determine our relationships for the rest of our lives.
• What were Bowlby's Laws?

  • Law of continuity- constant and predictable care leads to stronger and healthier attachment
  • Law of accumulated separation- idea that each seperation between mother and infant increased the effect of maternal deprivation and the safest dose is 0
• Bowlby's Laws:

  • Law of accumulated separation: each separation between mother and infant increases the effect of maternal deprivation, with the safest dose being 0
  • Law of continuity: constant and predictable care leads to stronger and healthier attachment
• AO3 limitations for Bowlby's explanation of attachment:

  • Validity: Schaffer and Emerson questioned the validity of monotropy as infants can form multiple attachments during the critical period; the primary attachment being the strongest doesn't necessarily mean it is of the highest quality
  • Social Sensitivity: Bowlby's insistence that mothers should be the primary caregiver/attachment conforms to patriarchal norms, suggesting mothers must stay at home
• AO3 strengths for Bowlby's explanation of attachment

  
  

  - Research support, Brazelton et al....

  support for social releasers as when primary caregiver ignores social releasers then the child can become extremely distressed illustrating importance of SRs in emotional development

  
  

  - Research support, Bailey et al...

  99 mothers assessed in attachment with their 1 y/o infants and then their attachment to their own mothers assessed, was found that strong attachment with own mother = strong attachment with baby illustrating role of the IWM
• Extra A* evaluation

  However, there are issues with Bailey's research because there are other influences on attachment strength such as a genetic disposition to anxiety which could be interpreted as symptoms of insecure attachment. This suggests that Bowlby overstates the importance of the internal working model and it may be a reductionist, low level explanation as it ignores biological factors and potential socio-cultural factors
• Explain Bowlby's theory of attachment

  Bowlby suggested that attachments are formed because of evolution as being attached gives a higher chance of survival

  
  

  Components of the theory include (a snap chat makes images)

  1. Adaptive

  2. Social Releasers

  3. Critical period

  4. Monotropy

  5. Internal working model (IWM)