Bowlby's Monotropic Theory

Question 1

What is montropy?

Answer 1

The idea that one relationship that the infant has with their primary caregiver is of special significance in emotional development

Question 2

What is an internal working model?

Answer 2

A mental model of the world, model relates to a persons expectations about relationships

Question 3

What is the evolutionary theory?

Answer 3

We are biologically predisposed to form an respond to attachment behaviour
- innate drive to survive
- attachment is innate

Question 4

What is the acronym for Bowlby’s theory?

Answer 4

A = adaptiveness
S = social releasers
C = critical period
M = monotropy
I = internal working model

Question 5

Explain the adaptive advantage

Answer 5

Babies who form attachments have adaptive advantage, making them more likely to survive, as they are kept safe, warm and given food

Question 6

Explain social releasers

Answer 6

Have ‘social releasers’ which unlock the innate tendency of adults to care for them
- Physical releasers: baby face features
- Behavioural releasers: crying, cooing

Question 7

Explain the critical period

Answer 7

Between 3-6 months. If attachment does not form then, babies are damaged for life - socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically

Question 8

Explain montropy

Answer 8

Bowlby believed that babies form one special attachment with their mother. It is special and intense

Question 9

Explain the internal working model

Answer 9

Through monotropic attachment the infant would form an internal working model.
- A special model for relationships
- Childs future relationship will be based on their relationship with the mother

Question 10

A03 - The continuity hypothesis provides evidence for Bowlby’s theory

Answer 10

• The Minnesota parent-child study by Sroufe et al followed ppts from infancy to late adolescence
• found continuity between early attachments and later emotional and social behaviour
• Individuals who were securely attached in infancy was highest rated for social competence, less isolated, more popular and empathetic
• Therefore, supports Bowlby’s theory as it shows link between early attachment and later attachment

Question 11

A03 - Temperament hypothesis may provide an alternative explanation to Bowlby’s theory

Answer 11

• Bowlby placed ownership of how attachments are formed solely on the mother
• In contrast, the temperament hypothesis suggests that infant temperament may explain attachment behaviour
• Easy temperament is more likely to lead to strong attachment
• Whereas temperament difficulty was more likely to lead to insecure attachment
• Kagan’s view is that attachment can be explained in terms of the infants behaviour

Question 12

A03 - Critical period for attachment is between 3-6 months

Answer 12

• According to Bowlby it’s not possible to form attachments beyond the critical 3-6 month period
• Evidence from Rutter et al show that Bowlby’s claim is true to some extent
• shows that attachment is less likely to form after this period but is not impossible
• The development window is one where children are maximally receptive to formation of certain characteristics/behaviours
• nevertheless such developments are ablet to place outside this window
• Psychologists refer to this as ‘sensitive period’

Question 13

A03 - Support for Bowlby’s monotropic theory

Answer 13

• Multiple attachments model proposes that all attachments are integrated into one simple internal model
• Appears to contradict Bowlby’s theory but they are not different models
• Secondary attachments do contribute to social development but Bowlby’s theory suggests that a healthy development requires one central person ‘higher’ than the others
• Research into infant-father attachment, suggest the role of fathers are important as secondary attachments and social development (Grossmann + Grossmann)
• Prior and Glaser conclude from a review of research that evidence still points to a hierarchal model