Attachment - Bowlby's Evolutionary Perspective

Bowlby believed attachments were necessary for survival and his evolutionary theory was comprised of these main components:

- Biological Process
- Innate/needed for survival
- Monotropy
- Social Releasers
- Continuity hypothesis
- Internal Working Model
- Critical period - up to 2 1/2 years

Evaluation

+ Lorenz's imprinting supports biological process and innate.
+ Genie supports critical period.
+ Harlow supports social releasers.
+ Longitudinal study supports internal working model.
+ Major theory of attachment.
+ Generated a lot of data.
+ Huge impact on emotional care of young children.

- Schaffer and Emerson opposes  monotropy.
- Zimmerman opposes continuity hypothesis.
- Doesn't explain why some can cope with poor attachment.
- Assumption rather than proven.
- Limits role other family members have.