Bowlby

• Bowlby argued something like imprinting occurs in humans
• 1. Attachment can be explained through evolution

  We have an evolved biological need to attach to our main caregiver
• 2. We create one special attachment

  Bowlby's idea of monotropy is that we form one main attachment - usually to our mother as it offers survival value
• 3. We create an internal working model of attachment

  • Bowlby's theory also say that forming an infant attachment gives a template for all future relationships
  • Working model can change and develop over time, depending how relationships change.
  • Primary caregiver provides foundations for the child for future relationships
• 4. There is a critical period for attachment

  • First three years of life are critical period for attachment
  • If attachment doesn't develop, child's social and emotional development could be damaged
  • Bowlby maternal deprivation hypothesis assumes relationships between primary caregiver and infant stopping has long term consequences
• Bowlby 4 main components of theory

  1. Attachment explained by evolution
  2. Create one special attachment
  3. We create an internal working model of attachment
  4. There is a critical period for attachment
• Harlow study supports bowlby

  • Supports idea we have evolved to attach
  • Suggests social and emotional damage if attachment isn't formed
• Schaffer and Emerson against Bowlby

  • Found rather than one main attachment, many children have multiple attachments
  • May not attach to mother
• Harlow study of monkeys against Bowlby

  Other monkeys didn't have a mother and grew up together didn't show signs of social and emotional disturbance in later life.

  Attached to each other rather than primary caregiver
• Bowlby's report in 1950 led to an increase in 'stay at home' mothering which impacted the economy with fewer women working