5. Bowlby's Monotropic Theory

Question 1

How is attachment an adaptive advantage?

Answer 1

Formation of attachment may have evolved as a survival instinct as caregiver provides safety, food, warmth so more likely to survive

Question 2

What is a social releaser?

Answer 2

Behaviours/appearances that illicit caregiver response (e.g. smiling, cooing, big eyes)

Question 3

What is the purpose of social releasers?

Answer 3

To make a caregiver want to respond and love the infant

Question 4

What is a critical period?

Answer 4

Time in which an attachment is must form (else irreversible psychological damage occurs according to Bowlby)

Question 5

What is the critical period in humans?

Answer 5

2 years

Question 6

What happens to attachment if it is not formed in the critical period?

Answer 6

More difficult and weaker, may cause irreversible psychological damage

Question 7

What is monotropy?

Answer 7

Infant forms a ‘special’ (specific) attachment to FIRST primary attachment figure which is more important than secondary attachments

Question 8

What is the law of continuity?

Answer 8

Quality of attachment better if care is constant and predictable

Question 9

What is the law of accumulation?

Answer 9

Each separation from the mother adds up

Question 10

What is an internal wring model?

Answer 10

Infant forms a mental representation (schema) of relationships that becomes a template for future relationships

Question 11

What impact may the internal working model have parenting?

Answer 11

Their children may be brought up a similar way they are brought up due to the schema, so the internal working model may be passed through generations

Question 12

Why is Bowlby’s theory deterministic>

Answer 12

Suggests we have a lack of free will in future relationships and early relationships lead to unchangeable later relationships

Question 13

Does Hazan and Shaver’s love quiz support Bowlby’s theory?

Answer 13

• Yes
• Found adult relationships were impacted by parents attachment and early attachment
• Supports internal working model

Question 14

What did Kagan (1982) suggest to argue against the internal working model?

Answer 14

• Temperament is a factor
• Socialbility is part of genotype
• This is what influences later relationships

Question 15

Which study was Bowlby’s critical period derived from? Why is this good/bad?

Answer 15

• Lorenz first found critical period in geese
• Therefore humans may also have critical or sensitive period
• Evidence backs up Bowlby’s Theory
• However humans more complex and emotional than geese
• Genralisability questionable

Question 16

Why can monotropy be described as socially sensitive?

Answer 16

• Implies there are right/wrong choices for childcare
• Law of continuity suggests working mothers should be constantly with their child
• Mother may be worried she won’t form special bond
• Worries that later attachment won’t be as good
• Should be used with caution

Question 17

What did Schaffer and Emerson find to oppose monotropy?

Answer 17

Multiple attachments may be formed first and may be of similar quality, so there may not be only one unique attachment in all children