EXPLANATIONS ATTACHMENT HOMEWORK 25/10/2012

HOMEWORK  25/10/2012

Extended writing essay question

You have now studied two explanations of attachment – learning theory and Bowlby’s theory. In the exam it is possible that you will be asked an extended writing question on one or both of these explanations. For example, any of the following questions are possible:

1. Discuss the learning theory of attachment (12 marks)

2. Discuss Bowlby’s theory of attachment (10 marks)

3. Discuss one theory of attachment (8 marks)

4. Discuss one or more theories of attachment (12 marks)

5. Discuss two theories of attachment (12 marks)

Note that a question may specify which theory you have to describe and evaluate (examples 1 and 2) or the choice may be left to you (examples 3 and 4).

Questions are not always worth 12 marks. Sometimes extended writing questions are worth 8 or 10 marks (examples 2 and 3). Any question worth more than 6 marks is an extended writing question and requires both description (AO1) and evaluation (AO2) in equal measure. So, if the question is worth 8 marks then there are 4 marks for description and 4 marks for evaluation.

In order to complete your study of explanations of attachment you need to prepare for all possible extended writing questions.

Prepare two prompt cards each with a table (see handout page 27) and fill these in for each theory. The ‘Can you….? questions on handout pages 51, 53 and 55 will help you.

The prompt cards you have prepared should provide sufficient information for a 12-mark answer – six points of description and four evaluation points (each point must be elaborated so four is sufficient for 6 marks – as long as they are elaborated).

ANSWER this exam question:

     There are many explanations for attachment, such as learning theory and Bowlby’s     theory.

      Discuss one or more explanations of attachment. (12 marks)

 Some extended essay questions start with a brief statement which is provided as guidance. You must answer the question that follows the statement (not the statement).

You may think that, if you know about both theories (which you should), then why not discuss both of them? The danger is that you will spend a lot of time describing both theories (maximum nark for description is 6) and have little time to evaluate either. You may end up with little more than 6 marks for your whole answer, so you could gain higher marks by only writing about one theory. 

DUE 9TH NOVEMBER 2012