Explanations of attachment

Question 1

What did Bowlby mean by a critical period

Answer 1

developmental period where an attachment is most likely to form
6 months - 18 months - 2 1/2 years

Question 2

Bowlby’s evolutionary theory - aspects that promote survival

Answer 2

secure base - safety / independence
social releasers - attach to baby
its also an adaptive mechanism that promotes survival - baby attaches to caregiver who feeds them and raises them etc

Question 3

two examples of a social releaser

Answer 3

making an endearing face
crying
laughing
smiling
anything that elicits a caregiving behaviours

Question 4

what is monotropy

Answer 4

one primary attachment who remains the same over time. They are the primary attachment that responds the most to the infants needs.
strongest emotional connection for the first 7 months. First and most secure base.

Question 5

Two components of the Internal Working model

Answer 5

Self - how you perceive yourself based on the responsiveness of our attachment figures

more responsive = better sense of self
vice versa

Other - expectations about who will serve as attachment figures - who to turn to when in need of security

Question 6

what is the continuity hypothesis

Answer 6

the idea that the IWM pervades throughout life - primary attachment acts as a template for future relationships

Question 7

two pieces of research which support Bowlby’s ET

Answer 7

• Critical period = Simpson
• Secure base = Hazan and Shaver