Outline and evaluate Bowlby’s evolutionary theory of attachment.
1. Attachment is innate
A01: Has an evolutionary component - promotes survival. Lorenz (1952), goslings attached to Lorenz
because they wouldn’t have survived on their own
A03: However, animals, cannot generalise the results to humans. Further support from Tronick
(1992). Found evidence of caregiving behaviours in African tribes. The fact that African tribes had a
different child rearing system to Western societies yet still demonstrated one primary attachment
suggest that attachment is universal. Support for attachment being an innate concept of human
development.
2. Primary attachments can affect future relationships
A01: Internal Working Model (IWM)
A03: Hazan and Shaver (1987), found a positive correlation between early childhood experience and
later romantic relationships. Support for continuity hypothesis
3. Multiple Attachments
A01: Bowlby believed that healthy development requires one person higher than others
A03: However, all attachments can be integrated into one IWM. Grossman and Grossman - all
attachments are equally important; fathers play a major role in social development
Blum 2003 - monkeys raised solely by their mothers lacked social skills.
Therefore, the presence and care of primary attachment figure is not enough to fully develop.
4. The temperament hypothesis
A01: Bowlby believed mothers’ sensitivity is the key, was supported by Schafer and Emerson, who
found that infants attached to the person who responded the most sensitively to their needs rather to
the one who fed them.
A03: Kagan 2003 - infants innate emotional personality may explain attachment behaviour. Some are
born with more trusting and happy personalities - more likely to become strongly attached. Evidence
that children are down with innate temperament differences from Belsky (1987): infants 1-3 days
Idaho showed signs of behavioural instability developed insecure attachments.
1. Attachment is innate
A01: Has an evolutionary component - promotes survival. Lorenz (1952), goslings attached to Lorenz
because they wouldn’t have survived on their own
A03: However, animals, cannot generalise the results to humans. Further support from Tronick
(1992). Found evidence of caregiving behaviours in African tribes. The fact that African tribes had a
different child rearing system to Western societies yet still demonstrated one primary attachment
suggest that attachment is universal. Support for attachment being an innate concept of human
development.
2. Primary attachments can affect future relationships
A01: Internal Working Model (IWM)
A03: Hazan and Shaver (1987), found a positive correlation between early childhood experience and
later romantic relationships. Support for continuity hypothesis
3. Multiple Attachments
A01: Bowlby believed that healthy development requires one person higher than others
A03: However, all attachments can be integrated into one IWM. Grossman and Grossman - all
attachments are equally important; fathers play a major role in social development
Blum 2003 - monkeys raised solely by their mothers lacked social skills.
Therefore, the presence and care of primary attachment figure is not enough to fully develop.
4. The temperament hypothesis
A01: Bowlby believed mothers’ sensitivity is the key, was supported by Schafer and Emerson, who
found that infants attached to the person who responded the most sensitively to their needs rather to
the one who fed them.
A03: Kagan 2003 - infants innate emotional personality may explain attachment behaviour. Some are
born with more trusting and happy personalities - more likely to become strongly attached. Evidence
that children are down with innate temperament differences from Belsky (1987): infants 1-3 days
Idaho showed signs of behavioural instability developed insecure attachments.
