criticism

• Bowlby oversimplified his theory
• Rutter argues that maternal deprivation in itself is a long term problem and privation is far more damaging
• Others suggest attachment is learned behaviour influenced by external factors and not biological predisposition
• Studies suggest that 1/3 of children form attachments with no preferred attachment figures.
• Czech twins:

  ~ had been cut off from the outside world and abused by their stepmother however at the age of 14 formed meaningful secure attachments

  ~ this undermines Bowlby's theory not disproves it.
• Schaffer and Emerson suggest babies are more likely to form attachment to caregivers who are caring and respond effectively- not necessarily parents.