Outline Bowlby’s evolutionary theory of Attachment

According to Bowlby, attachment is an innate behavioural system that has evolved because of its survival value. Bowlby posits a ‘sensitive period’, during which an infant is particularly sensitive to specific forms of stimulation, which occurs in the second quarter of an infant's first year. It is during this phase that infants develop specific responses and characteristics conducive to developing a maternal-infant attachment. Successful formation of this attachment offers a child a ‘secure base’ from which to explore and develop independence. An infant has biologically programmed behaviours that encourage care-giving reactions known as ‘social releases’ and include smiling, crying and cooing. These social releases are innate and adaptive. Finally, Bowlby suggests that the early primary attachment a child forms goes on to establish an “internal working model’ that enables an individual to predict and control their relational environment and form expectations about long-term romantic relationships.