Explanation of attachment: Bowlby's theory Flashcards
(11 cards)
Continuity hypothesis
The idea that emotionally secure infants go on to be emotionally secure, trusting, and socially confident adults.
Critical period
A biologically determined period of time, during which certain characteristics can develop. Outside of this time window, such development will not be possible. (Around 3 to 6 months)
Internal working model
A mental model of the world which enables individuals to predict and control their environment. In the case of attachment, the model relates to a person’s expectations about relationships.
Monotropy (monotropic)
The idea that the one relationship that the infant has with his/her primary attachment figure is of special significance in emotional development.
Social releaser
A social behaviour or characteristic that elicits caregiving and leads to attachment.
Issues/Debates - Free will vs determinism
Bowlby’s theory of attachment is an example of biological determinism as it emphasizes survival and critical periods.
Attachment is adaptive - Strength
P: A strength of Bowlby’s theory is that it explains why human infants form attachments during the critical period rather than when they are first born. E: Infants become attached during the critical period of 3 to 6 months, at the same time that they begin to crawl. It is therefore vital that infants form and maintain an attachment during this time so that their caregivers can protect them. E: This supports Bowlby’s claim that attachments are adaptive.
A Sensitive period rather than a critical period - Weakness as it’s being challenged
Bowlby’s claim that attachments can only form within the 3 to 6 month ‘critical’ period has been challenged by Rutter et al’s research. E: Rutter et al. found that although infants were maximally responsive to attachment formation during the critical period, it was still possible for attachments to form outside this narrow window. E: As a result of this finding, the term ‘sensitive period’ is now preferred as an alternative to the ‘critical period.’
There is research support for Bowlby’s concept of monotropy - Prior and Glaser (2006)
P: The multiple attachment model, which claims that all attachment figures are equivalent, appears to contradict Bowlby’s concept of monotropy. E: However, in a review of research, Prior and Glaser (2006) concluded that a hierarchical model of attachment, which places emphasis on one central person ‘higher’ than others, is more likely than multiple attachments. E: This supports Bowlby’s concept of monotropy and his claim that one special attachment plays a more significant role in emotional development.
There is support for the continuity hypothesis
Bowlby’s claim that early attachment affects subsequent relationships is supported by research. E: The Minnesota parent-child study (Sroufe et al. 2005) followed participants from infancy to late adolescence and found continuity between early attachments and later emotional/social behavior. Individuals who were securely attached in infancy were more socially competent, more popular, and more empathetic later in childhood. E: This supports Bowlby’s continuity hypothesis, as it shows a clear link between early and later attachments.
What 4 AO3 are you using?
Attachment is adaptive (Strength), A Sensitive period rather than a critical period (Weakness), There is research support for Bowlby’s concept of monotropy (Counter-point), There is support for the continuity hypothesis (Strength)
