...Bowlby’s Ethological Attachment Theory Rhonda Lawson Excelsior College Lifespan Developmental Psychology June 10, 2014 Bowlby’s Ethological Attachment Theory I) Abstract a) A natural inclination b) Strength and stability c) Theory of lifespan development II) Introduction a) Evolution and biology b) Critical periods c) Behavioral study on graylag geese d) Creation of attachment III) Bowlby’s perspectives a) Biological preparation b) Ethological theory c) Adaptive value d) Physical, social as well as cultural e) Lasting relationships IV) Application of Bowlby’s ethological attachment a) Survival b) Increases in cortisol levels and heart rates c) Psychotherapy d) Anxiety and avoidance with depression e) Development of a new attachment with a therapist f) Outcomes of a therapy process g) Diagnosis of the reactive attachment disorder V) Conclusion a) Begins at birth b) Develop attachments to primary caregivers c) Widespread acceptance d) Diagnosis of reactive attachment disorder VI) References Abstract Bowlby’s ethological attachment theory bases its argument on the premise that human individuals, just like animals have a tendency to have a natural inclination to establish and maintain lasting affectionate bonds (attachments) to the familiar and irreplaceable others. Bowlby further asserts that once the attachments are established, the strength, and stability of the...
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...There are many explanations for attachment such as learning theory and evolutionary perspective (Bowlby). Discuss one explanation of attachment (8 marks) A01 – Description (4 marks) Bowlby’s attachment theory states that attachment is adaptive and innate (genetic). Infants elicit care giving and become attached to those individuals who respond sensitively to their signals (social releasers). The relationship with the primary attachment figure (monotropy) acts like a framework for future adult relationships through the internal working model. Bowlby stated that infants are born with innate social releasers, e.g. crying, smiling and cute faces (big eyes and large foreheads), which encourage (or elicit) the caregiver to provide care. Attachment is a two-way process, depending on the involvement of the parent and the infant and social releasers. Bowlby claimed that infants need one special relationship, this he called primary attachment which forms with one individual who has offered sensitive responses to the infant’s social releasers. This attachment is also referred to as monotropy. Infants also form secondary attachments, which form what Bowlby called a hierarchy. These secondary attachments are essential for emotional development. Primary attachment relationships are the basis of his internal working model. This is supported by Harlow’s study of rhesus monkeys and their dysfunctional attachment as adults. Infants have a mental model of their environment; one example is...
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...There are many explanations for attachment such as learning theory and evolutionary perspective (Bowlby). Discuss one explanation of attachment (8 marks) A01 – Description (4 marks) Bowlby’s attachment theory states that attachment is adaptive and innate (genetic). Infants elicit care giving and become attached to those individuals who respond sensitively to their signals (social releasers). The relationship with the primary attachment figure (monotropy) acts like a framework for future adult relationships through the internal working model. Bowlby stated that infants are born with innate social releasers, e.g. crying, smiling and cute faces (big eyes and large foreheads), which encourage (or elicit) the caregiver to provide care. Attachment is a two-way process, depending on the involvement of the parent and the infant and social releasers. Bowlby claimed that infants need one special relationship, this he called primary attachment which forms with one individual who has offered sensitive responses to the infant’s social releasers. This attachment is also referred to as monotropy. Infants also form secondary attachments, which form what Bowlby called a hierarchy. These secondary attachments are essential for emotional development. Primary attachment relationships are the basis of his internal working model. This is supported by Harlow’s study of rhesus monkeys and their dysfunctional attachment as adults. Infants have a mental model of their environment; one example is...
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...the context of relevant developmental theory. Explain what is meant by the term sensitive mothering. Explain why sensitive mothering is important in building a positive emotional base. (15) - Give a definition of sensitive mothering (also consider insensitive mothering). - Link this to a positive or non-positive emotional base. Link this explanation to Bowlby’s attachment theory and Ainsworth’s studies. You will need to show an understanding of the internal working model of attachment and how sensitive mothering impacts on the quality of attachment. (25) - Outline Bowlby’s theory of attachment, showing evidence of how the ethological studies of Harlow and Lorenz, and his own research with war orphans and evacuees and juvenile delinquents impacted his theory. - Determine the phases of attachment and the development of the internal working model of attachment. - Consider Ainsworth’s research and the types of secure and insecure attachments that resulted from the research. - This needs to be linked back to mothering style and the internal working model of attachment that each infant is developing. Links also need to be made to Erikson’s relevant psychological stages of personality development, emphasising the importance of a supportive social environment. (15) - Consider Erikson’s psychosocial theory of personality, especially the first stage, and link to mothering style and the internal working model of attachment that each infant is developing. ...
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...The functions of attachment have often been contested and challenged over time, with the field radicalising over the years. Bowlby suggested that attachment in infants is due to the evolutionary pressures put on them; this essentially means the need to carry on our genetic line. When some young animals are born they seek proximity to their mother, they do this as a form of security, mainly to protect themselves from predators. In doing so, they are more likely to reach adulthood, and become able to pass their genes onto the next generation. This theory is obviously influenced from Darwin’s theory of evolution in ‘survival of the fittest’, only the most well adapted animals will continue their genetic line. Although Darwin’s theory is the most widely accepted, Bowlby’s ideas of attachment were wildly refuted, and see as too farfetched. The function of attachment being primarily for evolutionary purposes can be criticised mainly for how there is little way of testing it. In 1959 Harlow conducted an experiment with the aim to find out whether rhesus monkeys would show attachment to an object which provided food, or to an object that provided comfort. A baby rhesus monkey was separated from its mother after birth and kept in confinement with an option between a soft surrogate mother, or one made from wire that simply provided the monkey with food. His findings were that the infant monkey would spend as much time as possible clinging to the soft model, and would only occasionally...
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...How does attachment influence the social and emotional development of the child? In your answer refer to the usefulness and the critiques of the attachment theory. A child’s social and emotional development has significant implications for the social functioning of a child throughout their lives, in their education, friendships and employment. A child with poor or social and emotional development are at risk of experiencing poor relationships with peers, academic problems and can lead them into involvement in unsociable activities or crime. Research suggests the key to social and emotional development lies in the child’s early relationship with parents and caregivers. It is believed that children develop and thrive better when they are brought up in an environment where the caregiver satisfies a child’s needs physically and emotionally. Throughout the Late 1930s and 1940s a psychologist John Bowlby investigated the nature and the purpose of the close relationships that a person forms with people throughout their lives, in particular, childhood. He researched the making and breaking of bonds to understand the psychological behaviour and social and emotional development of human being (Howe, 1995, P46). As a result of these investigations and studies Bowlby developed a theory called the ‘Attachment Theory’. The basis of this theory is that “the infant and young child should experience warm, intimate and continuous relationships between the child and the mother” (Steele...
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...(i.e. people who are or have been important to them) have affected their development?’ Abstract John Bowlby’s theory of attachment asserts that in childhood attachments are formed between the infant and the caregiver. It also asserts that these attachments form the basis of adult relationships. This qualitative thematic analysis of an interview with Chloe attempts to show how early attachments form a framework of later development. This study shows some support for Bowlby’s theory of the continuity of attachment behaviour but also shows that the nature of attachments can change throughout life in particular due to adult relationships and life experience. Introduction The field of developmental psychology is concerned with understanding how our mental outlook can change over the course of a lifetime. It considers both the effects of cultural and environmental factors and the internal motivations of the individual. One of the main area of research is understanding the degree of continuity in how behaviour is formed and to what degree it can be influenced by past experience. In the area of human relationships, Attachment theory (as cited in Wood et al., 2007) explores how relationships develop. Bowlby (as cited in Wood et al., 2007) proposed that we have a basic biological drive to form an attachment to a ‘mother figure’ at birth. The nature of the attachment gives rise to a ‘internal working model’ in the mind of the child that has three components, a model of the...
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...Discuss one or more explanation of attachment. (12 marks) One explanation of attachment is the Learning theory. The learning theory proposes that all behavior is learned rather than inborn. This means when a child is born they learn a certain thing over time rather than being born with it. The leaning theory, put forward by behaviourists who prefer to focus their explanations solely on behaviour, tells us what people do rather than what may or may not being going on in their minds. They also suggest that all behavior, including attachment, is learned through either classical or operant conditioning. According to Ivan Pavlov ‘learning is a conditioned reflex also known as classical conditioning. The learning theory states that when an infant is hungry, milk (unconditioned stimulus) naturally produces a sense of pleasure (unconditioned response). The person who feeds the infant (conditioned stimulus) becomes associated with the food thus an association between the feeder and the pleasure produced when the infant’s hunger is satisfied (conditioned response), creating a stimulus-response (S-R) link. This new association is the attachment bond. However according to Skinner ‘learning is due to the kind of reinforcing response our actions produce’ also known as operant conditioning. Dollard and Miller’s theory of attachment suggests that infant’s naturally seek to reduce their discomfort of hunger. Feeding satisfies this need and thus the child learns to repeat this behaviour whenever...
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...developmental domains (Hernandez, 2008). These are the physical domain, the cognitive domain, and the social domain. The physical domain deals with the physical changes that a person goes through. For example, height, shape changes, weight fluctuations, and puberty can all be described as changes that happen in the physical domain. Thinking, the decision making process and memory can also be identified as cognitive domain. The social domain deals with social life, which includes changes in variables that are associated with a person’s relationship with others (Hernandez, 2008). A solid relationship between child and mother (or primary care giver) is the cornerstone to every child’s development. This may not form an obvious part of the theories...
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...Attachment can be defined as an emotional bond which is formed between two individuals, an infant and its primary caregiver – a tie that binds them together and gradually makes them becomes closer over a period time time." Attachment is not just a connection between two people; it is a bond that involves a craving for regular contact with the primary caregiver and the experience of distress once they are no longer next to eachother. The 4 features of behaviours of attachment are seeking proximity, safe haven, secure base and separation distress. The Learning theory also known as the behavioural theory of attachment states that during classical conditioning the person who provides the food becomes known for the pleasure of when it is being eaten. The unconditioned stimulus is the process of being fed which fills the infant with pleasure which is the unconditioned response, consequently the primary caregiver who provides the source of food (conditioned stimulus) will now be the source of pleasure for the infant, this is how an attachment bond is formed. Anytime the mother is around the infant she will be known for the food which suggest this is the reason for this attachment in the first place. In addition, the learning theory is just one explanation of attachment which has some flaws even though the explanation is sufficient and very detailed. Lots of research and evidence has been gathered up and collected, such as that of the Harlow’s monkey study which goes against the learning...
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...of resocialisation. Resocialisation can be described as the mental and emotional retraining of an individual, so they may function in an environment other to what they are accustomed to. In the case of Genie, research suggested that although some effects of privation were reversible; as she was observed forming attachments with her carers and the positive development of her social skills. It was unfortunately down to the prolonged negative cognitive effects of her privation, which ultimately ended any possibility of her resocialisation. Genie had missed the critical period according to the theory of attachment. This theory by John Bowlby a psychoanalyst, suggested that all children are born with an innate instinct to form attachments in order to survive. He believed that a child must form a monotropic relationship or else severe consequences in social development could occur. The result would be irreversible developmental problems in the form of reduced intelligence, aggression or depression. A flaw in Bowlby’s theory was the fact he didn’t recognise the differences between privation and deprivation. Treating both as an equal entity, adding doubt to his 44 thieves experiment (1944). Harry Harlow on the other hand recognised the difference between privation/deprivation. Harlow, contributed work to Bowlby’s theory, with his controversial research on rhesus monkeys. Harlow basically thought that the relationship with caregivers was an important role in a child’s development...
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...BIBLIOGRAPHY ENCLOSED: Yes I declare that this work is my own and the work of others is acknowledged by quotation or correct referencing. I declare that this work has not been copied from another student(s) past or present at this or any other educational institution, or from any other source such as the internet. Name: Date: 14th March 2014 Please type the assignment title below: |Sensitive mothering is essential to the social and emotional development of the child. Discuss this statement in the context of relevant developmental theory. | In this essay I am going to explain the concept of ‘sensitive mothering’ and how it is essential to the social and emotional development of each child. I will discuss this statement in the context of relevant developmental theory. I will discuss the concepts of ‘attachment theory’ encompassing ‘internal working model’ (Bowlbey, cited in Smith, Cowie, Blades, 2003, p98) and quality attachment of John Bowlby. I will also link this explanation to the studies of Mary Ainsworth. ‘Sensitive Mothering’ is defined by Ainsworth (1969) as the style of interaction between the primary caregiver, normally the mother or mother figure, and the baby. Sensitive mothering is when someone is consistently responsive both physically and emotionally to her child. This responsiveness provides the child with a ‘secure base’ (Ainsworth, 1969) thus encouraging them to explore the world. (MCI Module, undated). It involves being sensitive to the needs of the...
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...reference to Attachment Theory discuss the importance of early childhood to emotional development. With reference to Attachment Theory this topic will discuss the importance of early childhood to emotional development. This work will be more focused in the development of the emotion of fear, anxiety and security or insecurity. For that reason, Bowlby’s theory is going to be considered due to the fact what he is the first attachment theorist, describing attachment as a ‘lasting psychological connectedness between human beings’ (Bowlby, 1964,p. 194). Bowlby believed that the earliest bonds formed by children with their caregivers have a great impact than will go on later on. Moreover, Bowlby will deal in “Basic Postulates in Theories of Anxiety and Fear” where we can find also Freud’s point of view and other theorists where they try to explain the concepts of “anxiety” and “fear”. Later, we find Schaffer and Emerson whom did a studio with sixty babies to see the measure of anxiety they could experiment. No less important is when a child start to go to school. There is going to be a separation of the child from their family so as a result fears and anxiety can also be found in early ages. The main point of attachment theory is that mothers who take care and are responsible with their infants’ needs creates at the same time a base of security for the child. All these points will be discussed through the topic. Psychologist John Bowlby was the first attachment theorist who...
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...This essay will focus attachment and a definition will be offered. For this essay my research will be based on different types of attachment and experiment used and the effects of maternal deprivation socially and emotionally. I will explain and evaluate different experiment and discuss my finding in conclusion. Attachment is a strong, long lasting emotional tie or bond to a particular individual (Haralambos et al, 2000). Attachment in infancy have some characteristics which include: seeking proximity i.e. wanting to be near each other, seeking anxiety – a mutual feeling of upset if separated and pleasure when reunited. General orientation towards the primary care giver – the infant is always aware of the attachment figure and seek reassurance that they are there (Brody &Dwyer, 2002). These attachments behaviours can also be seen in older people who have an attachment. Adults have more sophisticated ways of maintaining proximity such as sending text messages and the underlying need to stay in touch is still the same. Attachments are formed in human and in many species of animals such as sheep and ducks, attachments are formed rapidly soon after birth. This process was first investigated by Konrad Lorenz. In his observation of animals, Lorenz noticed the tendency for new born, orphaned animals to form an attachment to any animal that happened to be present and to follow it as if it were their real mother. This can often be seen on farms where orphaned lambs will attach themselves...
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...RESEARCH SHOWING DIFFERENCES IN STM+LTM:4 Shallice and Warrington reported the case study of K.F. who as a result of an accident had a reduced STM of only one or two digits and a recency effect of one item. Yet his LTM for events after the accident was normal, supporting the idea of separate short and long-term stores. DESCRIBE THE WMM:4 Baddeley and Hitch proposed the Working Memory Model (WMM), the basis of their model was that the STM was not just one single store but in fact is made up of several components. The first element to their model is the central executive (CE), which coordinates all the information the memory working memory system, receives. It decides where to send incoming information, which is received from the senses or the LTM and has to do this efficiently as it has limited capacity. There are three slave systems, which operate under the CE, one of which is the Phonological Loop (PL). The PL stores any information, which the individual hears, like an inner ear, and uses the inner voice to silently repeat the information the individual has heard or seen (maintenance rehearsal). Another slave system is the visuo-spatial sketchpad, which is used for planning spatial tasks and temporarily storing visual or spatial information. The final slave system is the episodic buffer Information from the CE and the LTM can be stored in the episodic buffer to create a complete memory, which can then be transferred to the LTM for more permanent storage. OUTLINE RESEARCH...
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