Bowlby's Theory of Attachment Flashcards
What are children born with according to Bowlby?
an innate tendency to be attached to their parents to increase likelihood of survival
As attachment is reciprocal, what are adults likely to be?
Innately programmed to become attached to their infants otherwise attachment bond wouldn’t form
What are the 3 important features of Bowlby’s Attachment Theory?
Infants and carers programmed to attach, biological so takes place during critical period or not at all, links to later development (IWM, continuity principle and monotropy)
What is the Internal Working Model?
in long term, attachment creates emotional relationships providing templates for adult relationships: cognitive mechanism
What makes attachment an evolutionary adaptation?
naturally selected (passively) characteristic to aid survival
What creates care giving responses from others?
social releasers (smiling, crying), critical in forming attachment
When is the critical period?
Before 2.5 years, if attachment not formed then it never will
What research supports the IWM?
Hazan and Shaver 1987
Love quiz comparing relationship experience with parental relationship, strong relationship between childhood and adult attachment type
What is the continuity hypothesis?
childhood relations shape personality and therefore future relationships
What is monotropy?
The instinct to attach to a primary care giver
What research undermines the IWM and continuity?
Zimmerman 2000
44 German children, attachment at 12/18m and 16yrs, impact of life events was better predictor of later attachment
What research undermines monotropy?
Schaffer and Emerson 1964
10m=59%, 18m=87% multiple attachments
