My notes summarise the explanations of attachment efficiently, sometimes offering a simple explanation and sometimes offering a more detailed approach to the subject.
-Explanations for attachment:
-Bowlby’s monotropic theory:
Evolutionary explanation- babies have an innate attachment drive to survive, as security
equals survival. Babies will stay close to one caregiver (usually mother) for safety. Bowlby’s
theory is based on Lorenz’s imprinting and Harlow’s contact comfort theories.
Monotropy- unique strong attachment to a single caregiver, the mother.
Critical/sensitive period- for strong attachment to take place, Bowlby suggested that
attachment must happen in the first 2/3 years after birth. If this does not happen it will
result in long lasting negative social consequences This is based on Lorenz’s work.
Internal working model- the first strong attachment the child has with its mother provides a
blueprint for further relationships. This internal working model acts as a guide on how to
conduct future relationships such as if people can be trusted, or if relationships are loving.
Based on Harlow’s work.
Strength of attachment- Bowlby suggests stronger attachments will form if care is consistent
and weaker attachments will form with frequent/long separations.
Safe base behaviour- infants with good attachments will use mum as a base to explore their
environment, but will show distress if mum disappears, or if a stranger approaches.
Social releasers- babies instinctively use signals (crying, smiling) that attract the caregiver's
attention, adults are biologically programmed to find these behaviours cute or distressing.
Focused on activating caregiver's attachment.
-Evaluation:
Bowlby’s work is based on work by Lorenz. Imprinting studies on geese demonstrate the
potential strength of attachment to a single caregiver, explained evolutionarily by significant
survival advantages. However, these are finding of an animal study applied to humans.
Bowlby’s theory is criticised as suffering from Beta Bias, a type of gender bias. It can be
claimed that he exaggerated the differences between the role of the father and the mother.
Suggesting that the father's role is to simply provide resources for the family. Lacks temporal
validity, in modern society men are expected to have a much more equal part in the care of
their children. Bowlby’s theory also has negative implications for working mothers.
There are alternate explanations for attachment, behaviourists claim it is the environment,
not biology that creates the attachment. The cupboard love learning theory suggests that
attachment is based on patterns of reinforcement and the association of the mother and the
food she provides. Learning theory is well supported by numerous well controlled
experiments.
The continuity hypothesis suggests the types of relationships we have as adults can be
predicted by the attachment we have as infants due to the development of the internal
working model. This is highly deterministic, people like to think they have full conscious
control over their own relationships, including responsibility in the success of relationships,
not that this is set in infancy.
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