Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory

Question 1

Why does Bowlby think attachments form?

Answer 1

• Theory is that attachment between infants and their caregivers is an instinct that has evolved
• This to increase the babies chances of survival and parents passing on their genes, therefore it is adaptive
• Infants who are attached to caregiver will stay close to them and so are well protected and will survive

Question 2

Explain attachment through a babies innate nature?

Answer 2

• Infants have an innate drive to become attached to an adult
• These behaviours have a critical period, this is two years, if it doesn’t happen in this period then they will have difficulty forming attachments later

Question 3

What did Bowlby believe the attachment was determined by?

Answer 3

• Determined by caregivers sensitivity
• Infants who are mostly attached tend to have a caregiver who is responsive, co-operative and more accessible then less closely attached infants

Question 4

What are Social Releasers and why are they important?

Answer 4

• They are important to ensure attachments develop between caregivers and their infants
  
  • These include smiling and crying, behaviours that elicit caregiving
  • They display the to encourage their caregivers to look after them

Question 5

What is Monotropy?

Answer 5

• Bowlby’s notion of one special emotional bond
• Bond is often associated with the biological mother
• Infants also form secondary attachments which provide an emotional safety net and are vital for healthy psychological and social development

Question 6

Why is Monotropy important?

Answer 6

• To allow the infant to develop an internal working model
• Secure relationships allow a positive working model and means that current and future relationships will be positive and secure
• The continuity hypothesis proposes that individuals who are securely attached in infancy continue to be socially and emotionally competent, positive internal working model

Question 7

What are strengths of Bowlby’s theory?

Answer 7

Support for Imprinting and Critical Period - Lorenz’s study on the Goslings showed the importance of forming an attachment within the critical period as suggested by Bowlby

Support for Continuity Hypothesis - The Minnesota longitudinal study has followed participants from infancy to late adolescence. Individuals who were classified as secure in infancy were rated the highest for social competence in later life.- this study supports Bowlby’s continuity hypothesis

Question 8

weaknesses of Bowlbys theory?

Answer 8

Feminist outlook
Schaffer and Emerson
Tizard and Hodges

Question 9

Feminist outlook

Answer 9

• Erica Burman pointed out monotropy is socially sensitive
• Terrible burden of responsibility on mothers setting them up to take blame of things that go wrong
• To use father as economic view is outdated and sexist

Question 10

Schaffer and Emerson

Answer 10

• Suggested multiple attachments are more common in babies than monotropy
• By 18 months only 13% of the infants had only one person they were attached to

Question 11

Tizard and Hodges

Answer 11

• Found those kids with no attachments by age 4 and were then adopted could still form attachments to new parents
• Goes against idea of critical period