Explanations of attachment - Bowlbys monotropic theory

• attachment important for survival, less attached = less protected
• critical period 3-6 months, if not difficulty forming future attachments
• one special bond - monotropy
• child has social releasers - 'babyface' - elicit caregiving response
• one special relationship forms mental representation - internal working model, template for future relationships
• + research support, Hazan & Shaver, self report questionnaire 'Love Quiz' asseses the internal working model. Positive correlation between earlier and adult relationships.
• + supported by nature view, innate mechanism, critical when considering effects of early attachments
• + mixed evidence, Schaffer and Emerson showed primary attachments but also multiple attachments
• • ethical issues, parental distress, guilt about going to work