1. THEORIES OF ATTACHMENT
-The Evolutionary Approach
- Bowlby’sTheory

2. Theories of
Attachment
Learning
Theories
Infants have no innate
tendency to form
attachments
They LEARN attachments
because of FOOD
Evolutionary
Theories
The tendency to form
attachments is INNATE
This tendency is present in
BOTH infants and mothers

3. What is Evolution?
Discussion Point – Using what you know about
attachment, how might attachment
behaviour have given our species an
increased chance of survival?
John Bowlby (1969) saw humans as being just
like other animals – we need an INNATE
tendency to form attachments with a
caregiver.
This tendency gives us an ADVANTAGE, i.e.,
makes it more likely that we will survive.

4. Bowlby’s Evolutionary Theory
 Attachments are Adaptive.
 This means they give our species an ‘adaptive
advantage’, making us more likely to survive.
 This is because if an infant has an attachment to a
caregiver, they are kept safe, given food, and kept
warm.
 Forms the basis for future relationships which will
promote survival and reproduction.
A = ADAPTIVE
A S C M I

5.  Babies have Social releasers, which ‘unlock’ the
innate tendency of adults to care for them.
 These Social releasers are both:
1. Physical
2. Behavioural – e.g. crying, cooing
S =SOCIAL RELEASERS
A S C M I

6. What are the Common Characteristics?

7.  Babies have to form the attachment
with their caregiver during a
critical, sensitive period.
 This is between birth and 2½ years old.
 Bowlby said that if this didn’t
happen, the child would be damaged for
life and difficulties forming attachments
will increase.
A S C M I
C = CRITICAL PERIOD

8.  Bowlby believed that infants form one very special
attachment with their mother (person who
responses most sensitively to their social releasers).
 This special, intense attachment is called Monotropy
(focus on one person).
 If the mother isn’t available, the infant could bond
with another ever-present, adult, mother-substitute.
A S C M I
M =MONOTROPY

9.  Infant will develop an INW based on this
relationship with the primary caregiver .
 The PC’s behaviour will be a model for what
the infant will expect from others.
 Future relationships will be based upon these
expectations.
A S C M I
I = INTERNAL WORKING
MODEL

10. Research into Evolutionary Theory
Konrad Lorenz (1903-1989)
https://www.youtube.com/

11. Activities- Read P5-7
1. What are the strengths and limitations of
the EvolutionaryTheory?
2. Note down research evidence related to
Bowlby’sTheory.
3. Write down KeyTerms in your glossary.