BOWLBY - 12 MARKER

Outline Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment

• Attachment is innate (we are born with it).

• It is evolutionary because it increases an infant’s chances of survival.

• Babies seek proximity to a caregiver for protection and safety.

• Infants form one special attachment called monotropy.

• The primary attachment figure acts as a secure base for exploration and comfort

What are social releasers and the sensitive period?

• Babies are born with social releasers such as crying, smiling and gripping.

• These behaviours encourage adults to provide care.

• Through reciprocity, caregivers respond to the infant's signals.

• Bowlby proposed a sensitive period of approximately the first 2 years of life.

• Attachments formed during this period are important for healthy development

What is Bowlby’s internal working model?

• The internal working model is a mental template for future relationships.

• It develops from the child's first attachment.

• Secure attachments lead to more positive future relationships.

• Insecure attachments may lead to relationship difficulties.

• This idea is known as the continuity hypothesis

What evidence supports Bowlby’s theory?

• Animal studies support the idea of a sensitive period.

• Lorenz's geese showed attachment occurring shortly after birth.

• Research has found links between early attachment and later relationships.

• This supports the continuity hypothesis and internal working model.

What evidence challenges Bowlby’s theory?

• Schaffer and Emerson found that infants often form multiple attachments.

• Many babies become attached to several caregivers, not just one.

• This challenges Bowlby's concept of monotropy.

• Suggests attachment is more flexible than Bowlby proposed

How does learning theory challenge Bowlby?

• Learning theory suggests attachment develops through conditioning.

• The caregiver who provides food becomes associated with reward.

• This is known as the cupboard love explanation.

• It challenges Bowlby's claim that attachment is innate and evolutionary