Bowlby

Bowlby

1. 2 key ideas- maternal deprivation hypothesis and theory of attachment

2. argues attachment is an evolved mechanism that ensures the survival of a child

   • babies possess instincts such as crying and smiling encouraging the caregiver to look after them

3. Idea of Monotropy

   • a single attachment to one person who is most important to the baby
   • Schaffer and Emerson

4. first attachment with caregiver and baby provides the child with an internal working model for their future relationships.(continuity hypothesis)

   • drew on work carried out on harlows monkies (safe base)
   • the type of relationsips people have later on in their lifes will be influed by first relationship with their caregivers
     • Hazan and Shaver (1987) lovequiz in local newspaper asking questions reporting their experiences

5. process of attachment takes place within a sensitive period during first 3 years of childs life