Bowlby's Monotropic Theory of A

Question 1

What does Bowlby’s monotropic theory suggest?

Answer 1

A is an instinct due to evolutionary adaptations - helps the survival of infant ∴ reproduction of future generations

Question 2

What are the two ways in which A is formed as suggested by Bowlby’s monotropic theory?

Answer 2

1. Babies programmed to form an A as their development is long and drawn out + makes sense w/ respect to food + security (survival)
2. Parents programmed to nurture in order to produce future generations

Question 3

What is the critical period?

Answer 3

is a time period over which innate drives develop

Question 4

What did Bowlby suggest would be a consequence of not developing a A during CP at 3-6 months?

Answer 4

Infant will find it difficult to form future A

Question 5

What did Bowlby suggest the formation of A was due to?

Answer 5

Sensitivity of PCG via IS R

Question 6

What did Bowlby suggest was an important mechanism in the development of A during the CP?

Answer 6

Social releaser - encourages CG behaviour from others nearby EG: Looking cute
-Without innate social releasers, potential CG ignore baby = lack of A

Question 7

What person plays a significant role in the infant’s emotional development?

Answer 7

• One primary bond- monotropy - A focused on one person - the one who interacts the best (sensitive to infant’s social releasers)
• Often biological mother

Question 8

What childhood consequences are there of A?

Answer 8

IWM based on relationship with PCG

• Good relationship = positive expectations of future relationships vice versa EG: more trusting, confidence
• The continuity hypothesis state IWM predicts later A
• strongly A during infancy = socially + emotionally competence vice versa

Question 9

What research by Galbally et al and Gray et al supports the assumption that evolution shapes instincts through genes, which in turn shape behaviour through hormones?

Answer 9

Ga: oxytocin level high in mothers at birth - associated with feeling of love explain mothers instinct to love child
Gr: lower testosterone + high prolactin level in fathers = gentler with babies
-Suggesting women + men have biological instinct to A as suggested by Bowlby’s theory of A

Question 10

What does privated mean?

Answer 10

Children who have failed to form A during CP (3-6 months)

Question 11

What evidence by Hodges and Tizard shows to an extent that it should not be possible to form A beyond the CP period as suggested by Bowlby?

Answer 11

• Children privated until 2 yrs managed to form A w/ CG but friendships less strong than non-privated children + more attention seeking
• Appears less likely strong A will form but not impossible
• CP = SP to reflect development window = maximally receptive to the formation of A but such A can take place outside window

Question 12

Why is the term Sensitive Period preferred to CP?

Answer 12

Reflects the development window where a child is maximally receptive to the formation of A, but that A can take place outside this window

Question 13

What is an alternative explanation to Bowlby’s monotropic theory (A type is due to PCG’s sensitivity) as suggested by Kagan and supported by Belsky and Rovine?

Answer 13

• A explained in terms of infants behaviour
• proposes infant’s innate emotional personality may explain A behaviour
• easy temperament = more likely to become strongly attached as easier to interact vice versa
• Belsky + Rovine
• important influence in A process possibly ignored by B

Question 14

What did Belsky + Rovine find that supports Kagans theory of A explained in terms of infants behaviour?

Answer 14

• found infants between 1-3 days old who had sings of behaviour instability = judged more likely to develop insecure A