explanations of attachment: Bowlby's theory

explanations of attachment: Bowlby's theory

1. Bowlby's monotropic theory

   • disagreed with the learning theory to attachments
     • looked at evolutionary explanation (innate tendency's)
       • imprinting & attachments evolve to protect from hazards
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     • monotropy
       • attachment to one caregiver
         • more important than others
           • primary attachment figure
       • law of continuity
         • more constant & predictable the child's care - better quality attachment
       • law of accumulated separation
         • effects of every separation add up
     • social releasers
       • innate behaviours
         • smiling & cooing
         • activate adult attachment systems
         • make adults fell love towards the baby
     • critical period
       • relationship gradually builds up
       • 2 1/2 years
       • sensitive period
         • if no attachment formed - harder in later life
     • internal working model
       • children form a mental representation of their relationship with primary caregiver
         • models what all relationships are like
           • impact on future
             • affects child's ability to parent

2. evaluation

   • mixed evidence for monotropy
     • Bowlby - one primary caregiver = special attachment - then multiple attachments
       • against Schaffer & Emerson
         • babies can form multiple attachments at the same time as primary caregiver
     • attachment to primary caregiver is just stronger
       • not better quality
   • support for social releasers
     • needed to initiate social interaction
       • interactional synchrony exists
   • support for internal working models
     • Bailey
       • assessed 99 mothers with one year olds
         • quality of attachment
           • poor attachment = poor attachment as a child

3. evaluation +

   • monotropy is a socially sensitive idea
     • controversial - implications for the lifestyle choices of mothers
       • may end in poor quality attachment & disadvantage to the child
         • effects whether to go back to work or not
   • temperament is as important as attachment
     • temperament = child's genetically influenced personality
       • same babies are born more anxious than others
         • explains social behaviour rather than attachment