Explanations of Attachment: Bowlby's Theory
John Bowlby's attachment theory, developed in 1958 and 1969, is a cornerstone of developmental psychology. It introduces the concept of monotropy, which suggests that a child forms a primary attachment to one particular caregiver.
Monotropy and Attachment Principles
Bowlby's monotropic theory of attachment posits that the child's relationship with their primary attachment figure is uniquely important and different from other relationships. The quality of this attachment is influenced by two key principles:
- The law of continuity: This emphasizes the importance of constant and predictable childcare.
- The law of accumulated separation: This principle suggests that the effects of every separation from the mother add up over time.
Definition: Monotropy refers to the tendency of a child to form a primary attachment to one specific caregiver, typically the mother.
Social Releasers and the Critical Period
Bowlby's theory introduces the concept of social releasers, which are innate behaviors that activate adult social interaction and attachment to the baby. These include:
Example: When a baby smiles at an adult, it triggers a nurturing response, encouraging the adult to interact with and care for the child.
The theory also identifies a critical period for attachment formation, typically between 6 months and 2 years of age. During this time, it's crucial for a child to form an attachment, as it becomes more difficult after this period.
Internal Working Model
A key component of Bowlby's attachment theory is the internal working model. This is a mental representation of the child's relationship with their primary attachment figure, which serves as a model for future relationships.
Definition: The internal working model is a cognitive framework comprising mental representations for understanding the world, self, and others.
The quality of the primary attachment relationship significantly influences this model:
- A reliable caregiver leads to expectations of loving and reliable relationships.
- Poor treatment can result in expectations of further poor relationships.
This model not only affects future romantic relationships but also influences parenting behavior, as individuals base their parenting style on their own experiences.
Highlight: The internal working model demonstrates how early attachment experiences can have long-lasting effects on an individual's social and emotional development.
Evaluation of Bowlby's Theory
Strengths
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Evolutionary perspective: Bowlby drew on research by Lorenz and Harlow to propose an evolutionary explanation for attachment, suggesting it evolved as a survival mechanism.
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Support for social releasers: Research by Brazelton et al. 1975 provides evidence for the role of social releasers in emotional development.
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Support for the internal working model: Bailey et al. 2007 found that mothers with poor attachment to their own primary attachment figures were more likely to have poorly attached babies.
Limitations
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Feminist concerns: The theory's emphasis on maternal care has been criticized for potentially blaming mothers and restricting their activities.
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Overemphasis on the internal working model: Some argue that other factors, such as genetic differences in anxiety and sociability, also play important roles in social development.
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Validity of monotropy challenged: Schaffer and Emerson 1964 found that while most babies initially attach to one person, a significant minority form multiple attachments simultaneously.
Highlight: While Bowlby's attachment theory has been influential, it's important to consider its limitations and the ongoing research that continues to refine our understanding of attachment processes.
