Evolutionary Theory

Evolutionary Theory

1. Innate Programming

   • attachment is inherited
   • infants are born programmed to be attached to parents
   • Social Releasers
     • ensure care giving interaction
     • smiling and crying

2. Critical Period

   • 2.5 years
     • if attachment does not take place during this time it may not happen at all

3. Continuity Hypothesis

   • monotropy provides internal working model
     • template of self worth
       • applies to all future relations
   • sensitive monotropy = positive IWM
   • childhood attachments mirror future adult relations