Bowlby's theory Attachment

Bowlby's theory Attachment

1. I

   • Internal working model: This is a special mental scheme for relationships, all the child's future adult relationships will be based on this.

2. M

   • Monotropy: Bowlby believed the infant forms one very special attachment to their mother. This special intense attachment is called Monotropy. If the mother isin't available the infant could bond with another adult which is present or a mother substitute.
     • Supporting evidence for this:
       • Konrad Lorenz showed that the Goslings attached to the first moving figure they saw. The incubator hatched goslings only attached to him, not the mother as well, showing they only bond to one 'mother'
     • Against:
       • Schaffer and Emerson (1964)
         • They studied 60 babies at monthly intervals for the first 18 months of life; this was a longitudinal study. The children were studied in their home and a regular pattern was identified in the development of attachment. Their interactions with their care givers were observed and they were given interviews. They also had to keep a diary for the development of the attachment. At 0-6 weeks the very young infants respond to social stimuli with a smile. At 6-7 weeks infants enjoy human company and they respond equally to any caregivers. They get upset when an individual doesn't play with them. At 3 months infants smile more at familiar faces and can be easily comfortable with a regular caregiver. At 7- 9 months the specific attachment is made. There is a special preference for a single attachment figure. It looks to the individual for security, comfort and protection. It shows fear of strangers and unhappiness when separated from a special person. Some show these signs more than others
           • At 10 months and on wards the baby becomes increasingly independent and forms several attachments. By 18 months the baby has formed multiple attachment. This weakens the explanation saying that infants only have one caregiver they attach on to.

3. A

   • Adaptive: Attachment are adaptive. It gives our species an adaptive advantage and it helps us to survive. For example if an infant attaches themselves on to a care giver they get food, kept safe and given warmth.
     • Innate
       • Konrad Lorenz
         • Supporting evidence
           • Konrad Lorenz (1935): He investigated the mechanisms of imprinting where the goslings followed and formed an attachment to a moving object that they meet.Split a large clutch of goose eggs into two batches, ones which hatched naturally with their mother and the other who were hatched in an incubator, making sure Lorenz was the first moving object the Goslings saw, then they recorded the behaviour of the goslings. Lorenz marked the goslings so he could tell how they were hatched e.g. in an incubator or with their mums. Then they were places under an upturned box and then removed and again their behaviour was recorded.
             • Findings: Immediately after birth the hatched baby goslings followed the mother around and the incubator hatched follow Lorenz around. When released from the upturned box, the naturally hatched goslings returned straight back their mother and the incubator hatched goslings returned straight back to Lorenz. This showed there was no bond with their mother. Lorenz also noted how imprinting would occur between 4 and 25 hours after hatching.

4. C

   • Critical Period: Babies have to form an attachment to their caregiver in a certain time (critical period) This is usually between 2 1/2 years old. Bowlby said if this doesn't happen the child would be damaged for life socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically.
     • Lorenz showed how goslings attach and if they don't attach within a certain time frame they will experience distress.
     • Supporting
       • Harlow: He took babies and isolated them from birth. They had no contact with other monkeys for around 3-12 months. He then put them back with other monkeys to see what effect it would have on their behaviour. The monkeys engaged in bizare behaviour, such as cluthing their own bodies and rocking compulsively. They become very aggressive towards them. They were also unable to communicate or socialise with other monkeys. They were bullied by other monkeys. They hurt themselves e.g. they teared their hair out, scratching, and biting their own arms and legs. Harlow concluded if the monkey didn't form with a caregiver or mother, they would experience permanent damage. As relating to Bowlby if you don't form an attachment with a figure you will suffer emotionally, socially, intellectually etc.

5. S

   • Social releasers: Babies have social releasers which 'unlock' the innate tendency of adults to care for a child. These are : Physical- The typical 'baby face' features and body proportions, Behavioural- e.g. crying, cooing.