Explanation For Attachment:bowlby Theory

Question 1

What is the idea of monotropy

Answer 1

Idea that one relationship that an infant has with his/her primary attachment figure is of special significance in emotional development

Question 2

What is Bowlby monotropic attachment theory (1969)

Answer 2

Attachment is formed in both directions where the parents are attached to ensure that the infant is cared for and survive
Parents who look after their offspring are likely to reproduce subsequent generations
Attachment behaviour evolved as it keep us safe and protected

Question 3

Bowlby attachment theory :critical period

Answer 3

The critical period is the time that attachment forms. In humans its forms usually between 3 to 6 months
If attachment isn’t formed during the critical period it can be harder to form

Question 4

Bowlby attachment theory : caregiver is adaptive -adults respond to social releasers

Answer 4

Smiling and baby faces(elicit caregiving ) produces innate mechanisms that explain how attachment to infants are formed

Question 5

Bowlby attachment theory:monotropy

Answer 5

Monotropy is one strong emotional bond .
The primary attachment figure is usually the mother but not always
Infants also form secondary attachments to provide an important emotional safety net which is important for healthy psychological and social development

Question 6

Bowlby attachment theory:internal working model

Answer 6

The IWM in relation to attachment is the idea of monotropy which is one special emotional bond with the primary attachment figure which shows mental representation. A short term consequence is that when infants are attached to their primary caregiver ,the infant can influence the caregiver due to knowing how they work and behave and therefore a true partnership can form. However a long term consequence is that it’s a template for future relationships which carries on from the infancy to adulthood depending in the attachment formed showing the continuity hypothesis .

Question 7

Bowlby attachment theory:continuity hypothesis

Answer 7

Individuals who are strongly attached in infancy continue to be socially and emotionally competent whereas infants who are not strongly attached have more social and emotional difficulties in childhood and adulthood.
This shows a continuity from infancy to childhood in terms of the emotional type

Question 8

why does it looking like a sensitive period rather than a critical period seen as a weakness

Answer 8

P:one weakness of Bowlby attachment theory is that it should be looked upon as a sensitive period rather than a critical period
E:evidence for this is that according to Bowlby it should be impossible to form an attachment after 3-6 months . Yet Rutter showed in his study of orphans that the infants did form a type of attachment after this critical period .
E:this criticises Bowlby theory as Rutter findings question the reliability of the critical period and suggest that it should be known as the sensitive period instead .

Question 9

Ao3 Bowlby attachment theory:strength

Answer 9

P:one strength of Bowlby theory is that it outlines secondary attachment which may relate to multiple attachment which can be formed in the IWM
E:evidence for this is that as secondary attachment do contribute to social development which was found in research on infant-father relationships
E:this provides support for Bowlby theory showing that it has validity ,in terms of the importance of IWM and the role all attachments play for this and the attachments we end up forming all our lives