Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory- Attachment Flashcards
Bowlby’s theory AO1- So Magic
So- social releasers
M- monotropy: special bond with 1 primary caregiver
A- adaptive: increases chance of survival
G- got to stay close
I- internal working model
C- critical period
Social releasers AO1
Babies are born with tendency to display innate behaviours (social releasers) help ensure proximity and contact with attachment figure
Infant produces social releasers and stimulates caregiving from adults- reciprocal process
Babies seek proximity to carer- more likely to survive as staying close to mother provides safety and security
Social releasers AO3
Brazleton et al (1975)
Primary attachment figure instructed to ignore babies signals- babies showed distress
Supports- suggests large significance of infant social behaviour in eliciting caregiving
Monotropy AO1
One particular attachment different from all others and of central importance to child’s development.
Only bond to one person and is very strong and unique, more important
Law of continuity- suggests more constant and predictable a child’s care, the better quality of life
Monotropy AO3- refute
Schaffer and Emerson:
Found significant minority apprised to form multiples attachekebt at same time
Not always clear if multiple attachments were formed from birth. So may refute Bowlby’s claims
Adaptive and got to stay close- AO1
Allows us to survive
Internal working model- AO1
Bowlby’s proposed a child forms a mental representation of their relationship with the primary caregiver. Internal working model serves as a model for future relationships
We form a mental representation of what relationships should be like based on our interactions with our primary attachment
Critical period- AO1
Bowlby proposed critical period for attachment to take place of around 2 years
Attachments between infant and cater must occur within this time if children are to form attachments
If attachment is broken or disrupted then child will suffer long-term irreversible consequences of maternal deprivation
Risk continues to age 5- sensitive period for attachment formation
Lorenz research support- Bowlby’s theory AO3
Supports adaptive because imprinting innate and biology driven. Encouraged infant to stay close to primary caregiver to ensure survival.
Imprinting in geese- biologically driven and happened immediately, imprinted on first moving object they saw
Harlow research support- Bowlby’s theory AO3
Supports notion of internal working model- monkeys deprived of mother= negative implications for future relationships. Became inadequate mothers
Supports idea of first attachments forming a blueprint for later attachments
Hazan and Schaver (1987) research support- Bowlby’s theory AO3
Conducted love quiz in American newspaper- found correlation between early infant attachment style and later romantic relationships. Those securely attached- tend to have more successful relationships as adults
Supports noting of internal working model- infants attachments working as bandos for future relationships
Schaffer and Emerson research refute- Bowlby’s theory AO3
Bowlby’s theory- monotropic bond
Schaffer and Emerson- multiple attachments formed, especially of those develop in line with primary attachment
Practical applications- Bowlby’s theory AO3
Bowlby’s WHO report in 1950s was taken to suggest that babies needed the constant care of the mother for healthy psychological developmen
Practical applications:
granting women time off work and spend time with baby then return to work- allowed parents to stay in hospital with baby longer, to endure bond/attachment is broken
Socially sensitive- refute AO3
Socially sensitive as may lead to negative consequences
-suggests children form one special bond which must take place in critical period. And affect future relationships
Put mothers under pressure as implies woman’s place is at home with baby and they are responsible for later relationships. May suggest women who return to work after having baby are unfit mothers
Opens women up to criticism and prejudice
