1. Learning Objectives
Understand Bowlby’s Evolutionary Theory of Attachment.
Be able to explain the limitations of Bowlby’s Theory.
John Bowlby ( ). Raised by
nannies in a wealthy family. Saw his mum
for 1 hour per day at the same time as
his 5 siblings. Minnie, his nanny , left
when he was 4 & he was sent to boarding
school when he was 8. Both events were
traumatic. These experiences of separation
led to him working in Psychiatry in London
with emotionally disturbed children.

2. Which baby is the most appealing & why?

3. Which Face would you select as the most attractive out of the 4?
Look at the 4 pictures along the top of p. 33 in your text book (Cardwell).
Which Face would you select as the most attractive out of the 4?
Why?

4. Some psychologists say a baby’s features are what makes us want to care for them.
What is it about a baby’s face that is so appealing?
Big eyes Small nose & chin High forehead

5. Bowlby’s Attachment Theory(1969) says.....................
TASK: Highlight key words in your notes.
Attachment has evolved because it has survival value?
Children have an innate drive to become attached.
Attachment is an adaptive behaviour, which means it increases the chances of survival & reproduction.
There is a critical or Sensitive Period for attachment which Bowlby said was the 2nd quarter of the first year.

6. Once the sensitive period has passed, it becomes increasingly difficult to form infant-caregiver attachments.
Infants possess characteristics called social releasers which elicit care-giving- their facial characteristics, smiling & crying.
Monotropy - this is the tendency to form 1 important primary attachment initially.
Sensitive Responsiveness is the key. The child attaches to the caregiver who shows the most sensitivity to the child’s needs.

7. Primary attachment figures provide the main foundation for emotional development & self esteem.
Secondary attachment figures act as a safety net & contribute to social development. Children brought up with no secondary attachments tend to lack social skills.
Internal Working Model – This is what we expect from all other relationships based on our first attachment. E.g. Whether it is normal for others to make us feel good or anxious & so on.
The Continuity Hypothesis - Securely attached infants CONTINUE to be socially & emotionally competent adults. Insecurely attached infants have more social & emotional difficulties throughout life.

8. TASK: Take some time to reflect on your own upbringing.
In pairs share your experiences and try to answer the following questions (you do not have to disclose anything personal if you don’t want to) :
Who do you consider to be your primary attachment figure?
Who were your secondary attachment figures?
What effect do you think these attachment figures had on your self esteem, independence, social confidence & competence?
What expectations do you have about friendships?
What expectations do you have about intimate relationships?

9. Evaluating Bowlby’s Theory
CUT & STICK TASK: Work in pairs....
Read the statements in the table.
Decide which statements are STRENGTHS of Bowlby’s Theory.
Decide which statements are WEAKNESSES of Bowlby’s Theory.
Cut out & stick the statements
in the correct column in your
table.

10. Plenary-Lucky Dip
Write down any question about Bowlby’s Theory of attachment for another member of the class to answer.
Make the question as easy or difficult as you like.
Questions may start with.....
What is the term for
What does the term mean?
Statement True/False?
Statement is this a strength
or a weakness?
Now put your question in the box.

11. This means Bowlby’s Theory
Exam questions
This means Bowlby’s Theory
(a) Outline key features of the evolutionary
perspective explanation of attachment. (6 marks)
(b) Explain two limitations of the evolutionary perspective explanation of attachment. (2 marks + 2 marks)
2. Explain how the behavioural explanation of attachment differs from the evolutionary explanation of attachment.(4 marks)
Versus