Amara is a new mother. She notices that her 3-month-old baby, Jamal, smiles and coos whenever she feeds him. Her friend, a psychologist, tells Amara that Jamal is attaching to her because she provides him with food. However, Amara's mother argues that Jamal is biologically programmed to form a special, unique bond with Amara for his own survival, and his smiles are just his way of keeping her close.
Discuss learning theory and Bowlby’s monotropic theory as explanations of attachment. Refer to the views of Amara’s friend and mother in your answer.
57 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Psychology Explanations of attachment. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.