Attatchment - Bowlby's Theory (Evolutionary)

OUTLINE

Bowlby believed that humans and animals attached in a similar way, and that infants have an innate response to bond with one figure, typically the mother.

Monotropy

• Only occurs in Bowlby's theory
• An attachment to the primary caregiver, usually the mother.

Critical Period

• Attachment should happen in the first three years of life, although the first year is the most preferable. 
• If an attachment was not formed in this time,the infant would suffer negative psychological effects, even into adulthood. This included affectionless psychopathology

Privation

• Privation is when a child forms no attachment to a caregiver
• Unusual
• Tends to occur in children who are in care - as they cannot form a lasting bond, or in cases of extreme neglect
• Causes effects such poor social,language and motor skills, which continue into adulthood.
• Bowlby believed that these effects were irreversible 

Deprivation

• Deprivation is when a child has formed an attachment to a caregiver, but this attachment is broken through separation
• Occurs when separated for a week or more, especially if the child is younger than 5
• Causes less extreme effects than privation, but still damages the child
• This can lead to the child being demanding and clingy. This can lead to depression, aggression, and affectionless psychology.

CRITICISMS

1 - Monotropy

• Evidence shows that children may have a number of attachments
• Schaffer & Emerson (1964) showed that after 18 months, only 13% of children were still attached to only one figure
• Weisner & Gallimore (1977) showed that mothers are the exclusive caregiver in only a small percentage of countries

2 - Critical Period

• The critical period is too extreme
• There may be a sensitive period where people are able to attach better
• This period is the best time to bond, but it is not essential
• People can form healthy relationships after the age of 3

3 - Long Term Effects of Deprivation

• Effects are reversible
• For example, a pair of Czech twins were found neglected and abused at the age of 7, yet went on to form healthy relationships with foster parents.