Bowlby Explanation of Attachment

Question 1

Theory of Attachment

Answer 1

. Human behaviour and phenomina can be explained through natural selection
. Bowlby = attachment is vital adaptive quality that evolved to increase survival through proximity-seeking behaviour

Question 2

Proximity - seeking behaviour

Answer 2

Social releasers to promote interaction
^ need to be innate to ensure close contact with parents
. Parents need to be receptive - offer adaptive advantage

Question 3

Monotropic Bond

Answer 3

Infants require special bond to develop an internal working model and emotional security
^ offers infant opportunity to develop skills and understanding of how to attach bonds to others

Question 4

Internal Working Model

Answer 4

. Provides template for future attachments - schema
. Allows individuals to predict, control, manipulate environment
. Plays role in later development

Question 5

Attachment takes place during critical period

Answer 5

. If a child does not form an attachment before the critical period (2.5 years) attachment will not occur
. Later revised his theory and proposed a sensitive period where an attachment can still form although it takes longer of up to 5yrs

Question 6

Evaluation

Answer 6

Need for monotropy is universal (S)
. Ainsworth observed Ghana tribe where infants still formed primary attachment although reared by many

Importance of monotropy over - emphasised (W)
. Thomas = may be more beneficial to have a network of attachments