Explanation: Bowlby Flashcards
(10 cards)
why was the theory suggested? what did he look at?
Bowlby rejected learning theory
He looked at Lorenz and Harlow’s and proposed an evolutionary explanation that attachment was innate to keep young safe
why is the theory described as monotropic?
he placed great emphasis on child attachment to ONE caregiver
what did Bowlby believe?
child attachment to this one person is different and more important- he called this ‘mother’ BUT this didn’t need to be the bio mum.
the more time the child spent with this PAF the better.
what two principles did he put forward to suggest more time baby had with PAF the better?
the law of continuity
law of accumulated separation
what is the law of continuity?
the idea the more constant and predictable a child’s care, better quality the attachment
what is the law of accumulated separation?
the idea the effect of every separate from mother adds up -and the safest dose is zeros!
what are social releasers? why were they called this?
innate ‘cute’ behaviour encouraging attention from adults
they are called this because their purpose is to activate adult social interactions and make adult attach to baby.
attachment is a reciprocal process and baby and mum are hard wired to be attached.
how long is the critical period?
6 months but he mainly viewed this as a sensitive period.
child is maximum sensitive at 6m- 24m
what is the internal working model?
when a child forms a mental representation of their relationship with PAF.
what does internal working model effect?
future relationships, and their ability to parent
