Why do we form Attachments?

• According to the learning theory explanation of attachment, why do babies form attachments?

  Babies form attachments because their caregiver feeds them, and they learn to associate their caregiver with food through conditioning
• According to the learning theory explanation of attachment, what two processes contribute to the formation of attachments?

  Classical and operant conditioning.
• Which researcher found support for the idea that babies form attachments for comfort, rather than food?


  Harry Harlow
• What is meant by: A metapelet?


  A metapelet is a special type of foster mum in Israel, who looks after babies during the daytime so that mothers can go to work.
• Describe one strength of the learning theory explanation of attachment.

  One strength is that Dollard and Miller found that babies get fed over 2000 times by their caregivers (believable).
• Describe two weaknesses of the learning theory explanation of attachment.

  • not supported by Harlow and Metapellets
• According to Bowlby’s monotropic theory, why do babies form attachments?


  Babies form attachments because they help protect them from danger and keep them alive. (Innate survival instinct)
• What is meant by: Social releasers?

  Innate infant behaviours and characteristics which encourage an innate nurturing response from an adult (Crying, smiling, crawling and following)
• What is meant by: Monotropy?

  Monotropy is the concept that babies can only form an attachment with one, single caregiver.
• What is meant by: The critical period?


  The time during which babies can form an attachment to their main caregiver. (2.5 years)
• What is meant by: The internal working model?


  The internal working model is a schema for relationships that we build up from our attachment to our caregiver.
• Which researcher investigated the formation of attachments in baby geese?

  Lorenz
• What is meant by: Imprinting?


  The attachment is formed rapidly between an animal and the first person or object they see after birth.  
• Describe two weaknesses of Lorenz’s study.

  • The results weren’t completely replicated in later studies. For example, Guiton found with baby chicks, attachments were reversible and weren’t monotropic.
  • The results may not generalise to humans; it’s likely they have different attachment mechanisms.
• What is one positive application of Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment?


  A positive application is that it led to longer visiting hours for children, and longer parental leave.
• What is one negative application of Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment?

  A negative application is that it led to women feeling guilted into staying at home to raise their children.
• What is the PDD model?

  The PDD model relates to short-term deprivation, where children are separated from their main caregiver, and display three stages of emotion; protest, despair, and detachment.