Attachment – Bowlby's Monotropic Theory

Question 1

Bowlby (1973)

Answer 1

Argue that babies only need food occasionally, but constantly require the emotional security that closeness to an attachment figure provides - suggest that food/learning theories, are not main reason for attachments being formed

Question 2

Monotropy

Answer 2

The child attachment to one caregiver more important than the others

Question 3

Law of continuity

Answer 3

Every separation from the primary attachment figure adds up so the consistency and predictability of childcare is important to the child

Question 4

Social releases

Answer 4

Innate behaviours E.G. smiling, cooing, gripping) with purpose to activate social interactions - causing adult attachment to baby

Question 5

Continuity hypothesis

Answer 5

The relationship style will continue for future relationships

Question 6

Critical period

Answer 6

6 mths where infant attachment system is active (can extend to 2 yrs). If attachment had not formed by then it causes issues in future

Question 7

Internal working model

Answer 7

Child forms a mental representation of their relationship with their primary attachment figure- a model for future rels

Question 8

Collectivist cultures vs Bowlby is monotropic theory

Answer 8

CC counter as the child is likely to not have a primary caregiver but they still form attachments

Question 9

Evaluation – support for social releasers:

Answer 9

Brazelton (1975) describes interactional synchrony as a dance – suggest social releases invoke social interactions

Tronwicks still-face paradigm proofs that babies experience stress and display social releases when mother ignores them

Question 10

Evaluation- support for internal working model:

Answer 10

Love quiz found a link between attachment of parents and future relationships

Bailey et al (2007) studied 99 mothers and their one-year-old child found that the mother’s attachment to their own mother affected the baby’s attachment to them [the mother]

Question 11

Evaluation – general supporting research

Answer 11

Harlow (1958) found that babies (rheasus monkeys) prefer contact comfort over food

Question 12

Evaluation- feminist view:

Answer 12

Burman (1944) criticizers as it suggests mothers can be blamed for all issues with child

Question 13

Evaluation – socially sensitive:

Answer 13

Effects careers
Reinforces outdated gender stereotypes

Question 14

Evaluation – fathers:

Answer 14

Underestimate role of the father
Field et al found that primary caregivers that are male can assume sensitive responsiveness