Attempt to explain how changes occur Each new generation of animals shows some genetic variation from the previous one. If any such variations enhance and individual to survive these genes will appear in future generations. Reproduction is key for such variations to be passed on. These variations are naturally selected by animals surviving to reproduce. An infant who stays with their mother, more likely to survive so any traits of such an attachment will be naturally selected.

Bowlby’s attachment theory

Learning objectives To know what the ‘maternal deprivation hypothesis’ is. To be able understand Bowlby’s theory of attachment.

Challenging thought! If a child had suffered disruption in their attachment with their caregiver at an early age, how will this affect their future? Discuss for 1 minute with the person next to you.

So who was Bowlby? John Bowlby worked as a psychiatrist in London. He was raised by a nanny which started his interest in attachment. He treated emotionally disturbed children. He observed that a number of children has experienced early separations from their families.

So... Bowlby came up with the ‘maternal deprivation hypothesis.’ Bowlby states that “children should experience a warm, intimate and continuous relationship with his/her mother/mother substitute in which both find satisfaction and enjoyment.” He also believed this is innate and a variation selected through evolution for survival of young.

So what do you think Bowlby said about children who were deprived of such an attachment? He said: Children who experience maternal deprivation might suffer permanent long-term emotional maladjustment.

Baby face hypothesis What features are similar in all young animals? Such features are a successful variation and as so have been passed on through generations. The features act as a trigger for parenting that will help the young survive.

Answer the questions below. What is meant by the ‘baby face hypothesis.’ (2 marks) What is meant by the ‘maternal deprivation hypothesis’. (2 marks)

Self assess What is meant by the ‘baby face hypothesis’? This is an evolutionary concept that explains how the similar physical features in many young mammals (‘baby face hypothesis’) have been naturally selected because they act as a trigger for parenting and care-giving behaviour to ensure survival of the young.

What is meant by the ‘maternal deprivation hypothesis’? This was an idea proposed by Bowlby which states that a warm, intimate and continuous relationship should be formed between infant and caregiver and enjoyed by both. If this failed to form and an infant/child was deprived of this attachment, the child may experience emotional maladjustment in the future.

Bowlby’s attachment theory Bowlby developed his maternal deprivation hypothesis into a comprehensive theory of attachment. We will use this format to take down relevant notes as we discuss the features deemed necessary for attachment according to Bowlby.

How might a feature of Lorenz’s work relate to Bowlby’s theory of attachment? Talk to your partner for 1 minute

John Bowlby Bowlby put forward an important theory of attachment, based on the work of the ethologists. He saw humans as being just like other animals – we need an INNATE tendency to form attachments with a caregiver. This tendency gives us an ADAPTIVE ADVANTAGE, i.e., makes it more likely that we will survive. He adopted the idea of a CRITICAL PERIOD from ethologists, and applied this to his explanation of how human infants form their attachments.

Bowlby (1958) Attachments are A daptive. This means they give our species an ‘adaptive advantage’, making us more likely to survive. This is because if an infant has an attachment to a caregiver, they are kept safe, given food, and kept warm.

Bowlby (1958) Babies have S ocial releasers, which ‘unlock’ the innate tendency of adults to care for them. These Social releasers are both: Physical – the typical ‘baby face’ features and body proportions Behavioural – e.g. crying, cooing

Bowlby (1958) Babies have to form the attachment with their caregiver during a C ritical period. This is between birth and 2½ years old. Bowlby said that if this didn’t happen, the child would be damaged for life – socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically.

Bowlby (1958) Bowlby believed that infants form one very special attachment with their mother. This special, intense attachment is called M onotropy. If the mother isn’t available, the infant could bond with another ever- present, adult, mother-substitute.

Bowlby (1958) Through the monotropic attachment, the infant would form an I nternal working model. This is a special model for relationships. All the child’s future adult relationships will be based on the relationship with the mother.

Hazan & Shaver (1987) Tested the continuity hypothesis. They printed a ‘love quiz’ in a newspaper and aimed to find out people’s early attachment experiences and about their later attitudes and experiences in love. They found that securely attached children went on to have happier, longer lasting and more trusting relationships.

Schaffer and Emerson (1964) Criticised the idea of monotropy. They suggested that children have multiple attachments with caregivers other than the mother. E.g. father, grandparents, siblings. Supports Harlow as they suggest attachments are not just made to those who feed them.

The continuity hypothesis This is the idea that individuals who are securely attached in infancy continue to be socially and emotionally competent, whereas insecurely attached children have more difficulties. This supports the idea that one’s internal working model will influence their future relationships. See the Minnesota project