Learning theory vs. bowlby
● Bowlby disagreed with the learning theory as we don't necessarily form attachments
to everyone that feeds us.
● Instead he looked to lorenz and harlow to formulate an evolutionary theory of
attachment
evolutionary theory
● Useful features/behaviours are introduced to a species
● feature/behaviours are useful if they help the animal survive
A - Adaptation
Snap - Social releasers
Chat - critical period
Makes - monotropy
Images - internal working model
Big eyes, squashed nose, large forehead (psychology of babies being “cute”)
● These features elicit caregiving from adults. Our preference for these features are
innately determined to ensure we care for our young.
● Babies have evolved to look like this because it helps them to survive
Social releasers
● Babies are born with the tendency to display innate behaviours to “unlock” the innate
tendency of adults to care for them.
● Bowlby proposed that adults are likely to respond to these behaviours: for example,
crying.
● Social releasers help to ensure proximity and contact with the mother or attachment
figure.
Critical period
● Bowlby suggested babies have a critical period to form an attachment with their
caregivers.
● Bowlby: The child would be damaged for life in all aspects of development (socially,
emotionally, physically and intellectually).
Monotropy
● Bowlby believed that infants form one very special attachment with their mother
(primary attachment figure).
● This special, intense attachment is called monotropy.
● If the mother isn’t available, the infant could bond with another ever-present adult.
The law of continuity
● The more constant and predictable care received, the better the quality of attachment
between the child and caregiver
The law of accumulated separation
● Every absence of the mother is added up by the child
● “The safest dose is zero”.
● Bowlby disagreed with the learning theory as we don't necessarily form attachments
to everyone that feeds us.
● Instead he looked to lorenz and harlow to formulate an evolutionary theory of
attachment
evolutionary theory
● Useful features/behaviours are introduced to a species
● feature/behaviours are useful if they help the animal survive
A - Adaptation
Snap - Social releasers
Chat - critical period
Makes - monotropy
Images - internal working model
Big eyes, squashed nose, large forehead (psychology of babies being “cute”)
● These features elicit caregiving from adults. Our preference for these features are
innately determined to ensure we care for our young.
● Babies have evolved to look like this because it helps them to survive
Social releasers
● Babies are born with the tendency to display innate behaviours to “unlock” the innate
tendency of adults to care for them.
● Bowlby proposed that adults are likely to respond to these behaviours: for example,
crying.
● Social releasers help to ensure proximity and contact with the mother or attachment
figure.
Critical period
● Bowlby suggested babies have a critical period to form an attachment with their
caregivers.
● Bowlby: The child would be damaged for life in all aspects of development (socially,
emotionally, physically and intellectually).
Monotropy
● Bowlby believed that infants form one very special attachment with their mother
(primary attachment figure).
● This special, intense attachment is called monotropy.
● If the mother isn’t available, the infant could bond with another ever-present adult.
The law of continuity
● The more constant and predictable care received, the better the quality of attachment
between the child and caregiver
The law of accumulated separation
● Every absence of the mother is added up by the child
● “The safest dose is zero”.
