explanation of attachment : bowlby monotropic theory

innate

  • attachments - born with the need to make an attachment

Evolutionary explanation

born with need to make an attachment and it gives us survival advantage

imprinting and attachments have evolved because they make sure young children/ animals stay close to their caregivers and this protects us. pass on desirable traits though generations which aid survival

attachments are adaptive

monotropic - means 'one' - having a primary attachment figure

have one special primary attachment figure

different from all others and it is more special

the more time you spend with this person the better - law of continuity = the more constant a child's care better quality attachment law of accumulated separation the effects of every separation add up.

social releaser

babies are born with innate 'cute' behaviours like smiling, cooing encourage attention from adults


make caregiver want to look after their babies

activates social interaction - adult attaches to baby. attachments is a reciprocal system

baby attaches to caregiver and caregiver attaches to baby.

critical period

2 years infant attachment system is active ---> sensitive 'period' - maximally sensitive at 6 months

if attachment is not farmed in this time, a child will find it harder to form one later on.

internal working model (iwm)

early attachment relationship form a template for all subsequences relationships

early attachment relationships with a loving , reliable caregiver = form the expectation that all relationships are loving and reliable

if your first relationship involves poor treatment you may expect such treatment from others in later relationships - e.g. partner

IWM can affect the child's ablility parent themselves