Bowlby's monotropic theory Flashcards
Monotropic
Emphasis on one special attachment between infant and care giver = PAF
Law of continuity
The more constant and predictable a child’s care, the better the quality of the attachment
Law of accumulated separation
The effects of every separation from the mother which adds up over time
Social releasers
Babies are born with innate ‘cute’ behaviours - encourage attention from adults
Actively seeking adults to attach to them
Attachment is reciprocal - infants and caregivers are both trying to form attachments with each other
Critical period
Time within which attachment must form if it is to form at all - 6 months
Sensitive period
Extends to 2 years - if attachment is not formed within tis window child may not be able to form one later
Internal working model
Mental representation with their PAF (like a template)
- If first relationship with PCG is loving, child will seek CG qualities in future relationships
- If first is poor, child will expect to be treated poorly and may treat others poorly -> can affect parenting
Strength of theory
Brazelton observed babies trigger interactions with adults using social releasers
Babies who were previously shown to be normally responsive became increasingly distressed when PCG ignored them - some curled up motionless
Illustrates role of social releasers in process of attachment
Limitation of theory
Schaffer and Emerson’s four stages of attachment opposes theory - first one specific attachment but a significant minority attached to multiple people at the same time
Suggests PAF may have a strong influence later on but might just be stronger not different in quality
Reductionistic theory
Doesn’t take into account role of modern technology like therapy - specifically designed to reverse cognitive process and can assist people with poor quality attachment
Moral implications of research
Could suggest paid maternity leave should be universal and funded through taxes for the first 6 months of an infants’ life - critical period
