Explanations Of Attachament: Bowlby’s Monotropic/ Evolutionary Theory Flashcards
(23 cards)
Who proposed the Monotropic/ evolutionary theory
Bowlby (1969)
What does the monotropic theory suggest
Attachment is an innate drive where babies are biologically programmed to form an attachment with a primary caregiver. Attachment behaviour evolved to ensure a child’s survival, keeping them close to their caregivers, warm, fed and protected from hazards.
What are the key principles of the monotropic theory
-Adaptive
-Social releasers
-Critical period
-Monotropy
-Internal working model (+ continuity hypothesis)
What does ASCMI stand for
-Adaptive
-Social releasers
-Critical period
-Monotropy
-Internal working model
What are Social releasers
-Social releasers are innately ‘cute’ characteristics and behaviours that all babies are born with that encourages adults to engage with them, activating the attachment system. E.G crying, cooing smiling
What is the critical period
-He proposed that there is a sensitive period (around 6 months to 2 years) when an infant must form an attachment. If this does not happen, it can lead to long-term negative effects on their development (physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially)
Meaning of Monotropy
-A child forms one special, primary attachment, to the mother (doesn’t have to be biological). This attachment is more important than any others
Two main reasons for Monotropy
-Law of continuity
-Law of accumulated separation
Law of continuity
-The more constant a child’s care, the better the quality of attachment
Law of accumulated separation
-The effects of every separation from Monotropy add up (safest dose is no separation)
What is the internal working model
-A mental model (unconscious)of the relationship with their primary caregiver (mother) that serve as a template for what future relationship will be like
-A secure attachment leads to positive expectations in relationships (trust, self-worth).
-An insecure attachment may result in difficulties forming stable relationships.
Continuity hypothesis
-A child who forms a secure attachment with the monotropy is likely to continue having secure relationships in adulthood and be emotionally secure, competent adults, whereas an insecurely attached child may struggle with relationships later on.
Adaptive
-Attachment is considered adaptive because it enhances the survival chances of an infant, ensuring that it is warm, fed and protected from hazards. Bowlby’s theory suggests that attachment behaviors are biologically programmed and serve an evolutionary purpose, helping infants stay safe and secure
Evaluation of Bowlby’s monotropic theory
-Support for Internal working model
-Support for the role of social releasers
-Support for the idea that attachment is adaptive
-Overlooks the role of the father (criticism of Monotropy)
-Too deterministic
Who provides support for the internal working model
Bailey et al (2007)
How do Bailey et al’s findings support the Internal working model
-Researched 99 mothers and measured their attachment type with their 1 year old and their own mother
-She found that they had the same attachment type E.G good relationship with mum, good relationship with baby
-Supports the idea of the internal working model and that attachment with own children is influence by the template of attachment with own mother
Who provides support for the role of social releasers
Brazeltons et al (1975)
How does Brazelton (1975) support the role of social releasers
-Still Face Experiment
-When primary caregivers were instructed to ignore their infant’s social releasers, they initially tried harder to gain their caregivers attention and then became distressed.
-This suggests that responding to social releasers is crucial for the development of attachment, ensuring that teh caregiver provides necessary emotional support.
-Reinforces Bowlby’s view that social releasers and caregiver- infant interactions play a fundamental role in the formation of attachment.
Who provides support for the idea that attachment is adaptive
Lorenz’s study on Rhesus monkeys (1935)
How does Lorenz’s (1935) study on Rhesus monkeys support the idea that attachment is adaptive
-Found that Geese follow the first moving object they see during a 4-24 hour critical period after hatching.
-This process is known as imprinting and suggests that attachment is innate and genetically programmed.
-Supports Bowlby’s assumption because it suggets that attachment and imprinting is adaptive and provides us with an evolutionary advantage (by staying near caregiver= ensures infant is safe and fed.
Criticism of the internal working model
Too deterministic- assumes that everyone with a poor attachment to the monotropy will have poor development and struggle with forming other relationships. here are also other influences on social development E.G a babies genetically influenced personality.
This suggests that Bowlby overemphasises the importance of the internal working model in development
Who criticises the role of the monotropy
Feminists like Burman (1994)
(+ Roel of the father studies)
How does Burman (1994) criticise the monotropy
-The law of accumulated separation suggests that every separation from the primary rigour (which is usually the mother adds up and can negatively affect a babies development
-This view places an excessive burden on working mothers and blames them for anything that goes wrong in later life.
-Also attempts to keep women in a subordinate position as traditional housewives again by trying justifying it.
-Also argues that this idea of the monotropy (one special primary attachment)is outdated. Parents increasingly share childcare responsibilities
-Therefore, it perpetuates negative gender stereotypes (reinforces a patriarchal society)
