The Evolutionary Theory (Bowlby)

The Evolutionary Theory (Bowlby)

1. Attachment is innate, adaptive for survival

   • Used for safety
     • As a secure base

2. Forms a template for the internal working model for future relationships

   • Expectations
   • Parent relationship
   • If mother treats the child like they are worthy = child feels sense of worth
   • Continuity Hypothesis

3. Sensitive period of 3-6 months

4. Monotropy - Innate tendency to attach to one figure

   • Schaffer and Emerson
     • Infants had many attachments but only one main attachment
       • Not always the person who fed or bathed them

5. Social Releasers

   • Drive to caregive to these releasers is innate

6. Hodges + Tizard

   • No attachments = Difficulty with peers

7. Imprinting = Lorenz

   • Generalising from birds to humans?

8. Temperament hypothesis