Bowlby's monotropic theory - AO3

Question 1

What is a limitations of Bowbly’s monotopic theory?

Answer 1

• P: Limitation = accuracy of monotropy
• E: Schaffer and Emerson (1964): most babies form multiple attachments by one years old
• E: Primary attachments is stronger but not necessarily different. (Role of father - evidence from research)
• L: Proposal of unique importance of primary attachment incorrect

Question 2

What is a strength of learning theory?

Answer 2

• P: Strength = support for social releasers
• E: Brazelton et al. (1975): babies and primary attachment figures observed, asked adult to ignore social releasers
• E: Babies became increasingly distressed, some eventually curling up and lying motionless
• L: This shows the role of social releasers in emotional development

Question 3

What is a PECS of Bowlby’s monotropic theory? (strength)

Answer 3

• P: Strength = evidence for internal working model
• E: Bailey et al. (2007): 99 mothers and year old babies; mothers with poor attachment to own primary figure more likely to have poorly attached babies
• C: However, Kornienko (2016): genetic differences in anxiety may impact social behaviour for parents and babies
• S: This means that Bowlby may have overstated importance of internal working model (could be other factors)

Question 4

What is a PECS paragraph of Bowlby’s monotropic theory? (Limitation)

Answer 4

• P:Limitation = social sensitive approach
• E: Burman: from feminist perspective, Bowlby’s ideas can be used to blame mothers for them returning to work when they want to
• C: However, Bowlby’s ideas have many practical applications that have made life better for babies. The law of continuity had leds to the common use of key-workers (e.g daycare)
• S: So although Bowbly’s theory raises sensitive issues this is probably outweighed by its benefits for babies and mothers