Please mark this 12 mark question on attachments! :)

Psychologists have put forward different explanations of attachment, such as learning
theory and Bowlby’s theory.
Outline and evaluate one or more explanations of attachment. (12 marks)

Psychologists have many different explanations of attachments. One of which is Bowlby's evolutionary theory. He suggests that attachments are an innate, biological response to illicit care giving, and therefore survival, of the infant. This is achieved through social releasers, which as crying and their 'cute' appearance which appeals to the potential caregiver. According to Bowlby's theory of monotropy, this caregiver should be a woman. Bowlby suggests that a child's attachment acts as a template for their future relationships so a stable attachment is necessary for a socially successful individual.

However, Bowlby's theory is based on research in goslings, which innately imprint on the first large, moving object they see. It could be argued that birds can't be generalised to human behaviour. There is also criticism to monotropy, as research has shown hat babies can form secure attachments with their fathers, or even multiple attachments with both parents. A criticism of Bowlby is also the learning theory. This suggests that attachments are formed by reinforcement (classical conditioning) or association (operant conditioning) this criticises that attachments are innate. Another criticism is research into cross-cultural variations in attachments. If attachments are innate, they should be universal. However, the variations of attachment types suggests different.

Thank you.