Describe and Evaluate Bowlbys theory of attachment. (12 marks)

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Emily Brown                Child Psychology

Describe and Evaluate Bowlby’s theory of attachment. (12 marks)

Bowlby’s theory of attachment is the idea that children form a two way attachment with their primary caregiver, and this relationship should be warm, intimate and continuous in order for the child to develop properly. Bowlby believed that the relationship between a mother/primary caregiver and its child was most crucial during the first 18 – 24 months of life and that is was this time that affected later socialisation. He also thought that there was a sensitive period in the first few years of life and if an attachment was not formed then it would be compensated for later. In addition he suggested the idea of monotropy, which is the suggestion that infants tend to direct attachment behaviours towards a single attachment figure, and that there is one ‘special’ bond and this is typically between a mother and its child. The attachment being two way is very important, and Bowlby believed that both parties should find ‘satisfaction and enjoyment’ from the relationship. He suggested that babies are born programmed to behave in ways that will make attachments easier to form, for example they will display behaviour that encourages attention from adults, these include smiling and cooing etc. These are known as ‘social releasers’ because the point of them is to encourage parental instincts so that an attachment will be formed. It is believed that the origins of attachment behaviours can be found in evolution, as the main purpose of attachment is to keep the child safe, and attachment with adults increases the child’s chance of survival.

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Once an attachment is formed, the child will display a variety of behaviours – if their attachment figure is not present they will display separation anxiety and become upset, however pleasure will be shown when the caregiver returns. An attachment is also characterised through proximity seeking, and the attachment figure is seen as a safe haven – a place the child can receive care, attention, and reassurance if hurt or upset, and a secure base from which the child can explore the world around them whilst knowing that the caregiver is close, for reassurance.

Bowlby developed Freud’s idea that a ...

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Final Comment This work covers the gist of Bowlby's work on attachments. After a good opening paragraph with a succinct outline of attachment theory, the rest of the work becomes rather disjointed. The writer needs to think more about the planning of the piece of work e.g. the introduction, the main body of the work (what to include and in what order), and a longer conclusion than at present. There are some missing references and 'separation and loss' could have been covered in more detail. Overall score - 3