Bowlby's Theory

• Bowlby's theory of attachment is based on the claim that behaviours that promote reproduction are naturally selected. Genes for any behaviour tat helps us to survive or that help our genes to survive will appear in future generations. Children have an innate drive to become attached to a caregiver because attachments have long term benefits. If a child doesn't attach, they are less likely to survive and develop. Therefore, infants are born with an innate drive to attach.
• Monotropy

  An innate drive to form a close attachment with one figure. This special bond helps to maintain proximity between the parent and infant. It offers the infant the opportunity to develop skills and an understanding of how to attach and bond to others, however, the bond with the mother-figure is unique.
• Social releasers

  A social behaviour or characteristic that elicits a care giving reaction. Here, the baby is communicating: crying or smiling for example. Social releasers promote interaction. It is suggested that these need to be innate to ensure that infants can maintain close contact with their parents. Equally, parents need to be receptive to these innate cues that the infant displays in order for this to offer adaptive advantage. These are fixed action patterns: evolved behaviours that all members of a species understand.
• Critical period

  A biologically predetermined time that characteristics will develop- outside of this the characteristic will not develop. Babies have an innate drive to become attached around 3-6 months- this period lasts for the first 3 years of life. Bowlby argues this attachment should not be disrupted or broken during this time.
• Internal Working Model

  The IWM provides a template for future attachments. It allows individuals to predict, control and manipulate their environment. As a result, it plays a role in later development- this is known as the continuity hypothesis. Childhood treatment from parents will influence later life attachments and adult relationships.