John Bowlby Flashcards
(9 cards)
Who was John Bowlby and what was his main area of research?
Bowlby was a british psychologist best known for developing attachment theory, focusing on the importance of the mother-child bond for future social and emotional development
What inspired Bowlby’s attachment theory?
Observations of children orphaned or displaced during WW2 who showed developmental delays, leading to his concept of maternal deprivation
What are the 3 central ideas in Bowlby’s attachment theory?
- Attachment depends heavily on the sensitivity of the caregiver.
- Securely attached children are more socially competent.
- A secure base helps children explore their environment.
What was Mary Ainsworth’s contribution to attachment theory?
She developed the Strange Situation Test, identifying types of attachment (secure, insecure), and revealed how attachment varies across cultures (e.g. Japan).
How did Bowlby’s theory influence hospital practices?
His work helped challenge long hospital stays that separated mothers and babies, influencing today’s practice where mothers can go home soon after birth.
What is a key criticism of Bowlby’s theory?
It overgeneralised the role of the biological mother, ignoring the impact of other attachment figures and cultural variations in caregiving.
How is Bowlby’s theory limited in the Aotearoa context?
It doesn’t reflect Maori mofels of caregiving, where whanau and iwi share child-rearing responsibilities, not just the mother.
What is an example of caregiving in Maori culture that differs from Bowlby’s theory?
In maori culture, caregiving is collective - whanau, not just parents, raise children. Bowlby’s focus on a single caregiver doesn’t align with this.
Did Bowlby later acknowledge any weaknesses in his theory?
Yes, he eventually acknowledged that he had ignored many aspects of a child’s development and overlooked multiple attachment figures.
