During phase 1 of John Bowlby’s conceptualization of attachment, what is most likely to occur?
The correct answer and explanation is:
In phase 1 of John Bowlby’s conceptualization of attachment, the primary focus is on the infant’s attachment to the mother or primary caregiver. This phase, known as the pre-attachment phase, typically occurs during the first few months of life, from birth to about 6 weeks. During this period, infants are largely focused on their immediate surroundings and are not yet attached to specific individuals. Instead, they are drawn to any caregiver who responds to their needs.
Most likely to occur during phase 1 is the infant’s display of social behaviors aimed at establishing early bonds with caregivers. These behaviors include crying, cooing, and other forms of communication that elicit attention and care. At this stage, the infant does not have a preference for one caregiver over another, as they are still in the process of learning about their environment and the people within it.
Bowlby suggested that attachment is a biologically programmed response designed to ensure survival, with behaviors such as crying serving to keep the caregiver close. These behaviors are not yet tied to emotional attachment or a recognition of specific caregivers. Instead, the infant is engaging in social behaviors that will eventually foster attachment when the child becomes more aware of their primary caregivers and their consistency in providing comfort and care.
As the infant grows, they will move into phase 2 (the “attachment-in-the-making” phase), where they begin to form preferences for specific caregivers. In summary, during phase 1, infants are displaying behaviors to elicit care and comfort, but they have not yet formed attachment bonds to any specific individual. The focus at this stage is more on general caregiver responsiveness rather than attachment to a particular person.