... this type of attachment with their caregiver. 2. Outline one explanation of attachment (6marks) Bowlby's explanation of attachment represents the most comprehensive theory of human attachment formation. Bowlby, 1969/1973, argued that because new-born human infants are entirely helpless, they are genetically programmed to behave towards their mothers in ways that ensure their survival. Bowlby argued hat the mother also inherits a genetic blueprint, which programmes her to respond to the baby. There is a critical period during which the synchrony (coincidence in time) of the action between the mother and infant produces an attachment. In bowlby's view, mothering is useless for all children if delayed until after 2-3 years, and for most children if delayed until after 12months. Bowlby believed that infants display a strong innate tendency to become attached to one particular adult female (not necessarily the natural mother), a tendency he called monotropy. This attachment to the mother figure is qualitatively ...

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