bowlbys monotropic theory

Question 1

monotropy

Answer 1

infants form one special bond with primary attachment figure = monotropic bond
- more important than any others
- more time spent with primary caregiver = better quality attachment

Question 2

2 key principles to explain this

Answer 2

• law of continuity
• law of accumulated separation

Question 3

1st principle

Answer 3

law on continuity
- consistent and predictable care leads to better attachment quality

Question 4

2nd principle

Answer 4

• law of accumulated separation
• every separation from the primary attachment figure adds up and may negatively effect the child

Question 5

how are attachments formed

Answer 5

-babies born with innate behaviours that help a caregiver form attachment to infant e.g
- smiling , gripping a finger, having cute baby face ]]

-behaviours called social releasers
- releasers trigger a caregiving response
- more responsive and accessible caregiver = stronger attachment

Question 6

critical period

Answer 6

• attachment forms during critical period
• begins around 3 months , most sensitive at 6 months
• if not formed within this period , future attachment is harder to develop

Question 7

internal working model

Answer 7

• suggests child forms model of what relationships should look like using their attachment =. iwm
• secure loving attachment as child = healthy future relationships
• poor inconsistent attachment = negative treatment/ bad social behaviour

Question 7

strength , Lorenz

Answer 7

p- supported by animal studies
e- Lorenz = gosling form attachment to first moving object they saw , even if it wernt mum
e- supports bowlbys idea that attachment = innate, increases chances of survival
l= theory supported by evidence that shows attachment = instinctive

Question 8

limitation , multiple attachments

Answer 8

p- form multiple
e- Schaffer and Emerson 1964, 10-11 months , babies formed bare attachments w diff caregivers, not just mum
e- challenges theory, thats theres only 1 main attachment figure thats more important than everyone else
l- theory = too narrow , babies able to form multiple attachments

Question 9

strength social releasers

Answer 9

p- supporting evidence for social releasers
e- studies where caregiver told to ignore baby’s social releasers , babies became increasingly upset/distressed
e- shows that bbabies use behaviours to get attention and care from adult = helps form strong attachment
l- supports theory that social releasers= key in building bonds

Question 9

limitation , critical period

Answer 9

p- attachment still form after critical period
e- rutter et al , romanian orphans , found less likely for attachments to form after 3-6 months , still possible
e- so although babies more likely to form attachments during critical period, not a fixed cut off point , bc of this , researchers now refer to it as sensitive period
l- theory overstated importance of timing as attachment can still happen later