According to Bowlby's theory of attachment:
A) infants have a set of innate behaviors that cause adults to attend to them
B) infants must learn how to elicit attention from adults
C) social attachment is largely an outcome of how adults respond to infants
D) social attachment is largely an outcome of how infants respond to adults

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Bowlby's theory of attachment, infants have a set of innate behaviors, known as social releasers or signals, that cause adults to attend to them. These behaviors include crying, smiling, and clinging, which help infants to initiate and maintain contact with their caregivers. Bowlby proposed that these behaviors have evolved over time because they promote attachment and increase an infant's chances of survival.

Option B is incorrect because Bowlby's theory suggests that infants' innate behaviors lead to adult response, rather than infants learning how to elicit attention.

Option C is partially true as adults' response to infants' behaviors does contribute to social attachment. However, the role of the innate behaviors of the infant is more significant.

Option D is incorrect because, according to Bowlby, infants' behaviors drive the attachment process. Infants' attachment behaviors towards adults lead to their becoming attached to a particular caregiver.

According to Bowlby's Theory of Attachment