Outline and evaluate one evolutionary perspective on attachment

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Outline and evaluate one evolutionary perspective on attachment

Bowlby's theory was on the suggestion that attachment was necessary to promote survival, through safety, emotional relationships and provide a secure basis for exploration for the infant. Infants are said to have a biological drive to seek proximity to a protective adult, usually the primary caregiver, in order to survive, this is known as the secure base. Bowlby went on to suggest that the infant is born with 'social releases' such as crying which when activated demands a social response. As the child develops the social releases become more sophisticated e.g. smiling, crawling. He suggests that there are 5 key aspects of the theory, adaptation/evolution being the first phase- meaning the development of characteristics that are suited to the environment to aid survival. Phase two is about social releasers: this is the behaviour the infant conducts which stimulates the interaction and care-giving from the adult. Phase 3 is the sensitive period; this takes place during 3-6 months but it possible up until 2 years. This time is the period in the infant's life when the attachment is meant to form. Phase four is monotropy; this is the idea that the child