The concepts of a critical period and an internal working model
Bowlby argued that babies must form an attachment within a fixed time window. That early bond then creates a mental template that shapes all future relationships.
Real World
Romanian orphans adopted by British families after the fall of Ceaușescu in 1989 were studied by Rutter (1998), who found that children adopted before six months showed near-normal development, while those adopted later often had lasting social difficulties — supporting the idea of a sensitive period for attachment.
Exam Focus
Use the term 'sensitive period' rather than 'critical period' in evaluation — Rutter's evidence shows recovery is possible, just harder after the window.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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