Monotropic Theory

Question 1

Who proposed monotropic theory?

Answer 1

John Bowlby.

Question 2

Monotropic Theory

Answer 2

The idea of having just one, all-important caregiver-infant attachment. Says that attachment is innate.

Question 3

What type of theory is monotropic theory?

Answer 3

An evolutionary theory, Bowlby said that forming attachments increases the chances of survival.

Question 4

Which theory did Bowlby disagree with?

Answer 4

Learning theory.

Question 5

What did Bowlby say is beneficial for an infant’s development?

Answer 5

More time with the primary attachment figure.

Question 6

What are the two principles of monotropy?

Answer 6

Continuity hypothesis, and accumulated separation.

Question 7

Continuity Hypothesis

Answer 7

The predictability and consistency of a child’s care matters. More of both means for better attachments.

Question 8

Accumulated Separation

Answer 8

The time an infant spends apart from their primary caregiver adds up, and it is best for the infant to never be left by the caregiver.

Question 9

Social Releasers

Answer 9

Behaviors elicited by the infant that encourage attention and trigger the adult attachment system.

Question 10

What are examples of social releasers?

Answer 10

Smiling, crying, laughing etc.

Question 11

What did Bowlby say about reciprocity?

Answer 11

Attachment is reciprocal.

Question 12

Critical Period

Answer 12

The timeframe in which the infant attachment system should form an attachment with the primary caregiver.

Question 13

How long did Bowlby suggest the critical period is?

Answer 13

Three years, and then later changed this idea to five years.

Question 14

Primary Attachment Figure

Answer 14

The main person an infant will attach to.

Question 15

Internal Working Model

Answer 15

A mental blueprint that an infant obtains during the attachment process that informs their future relationships.

Question 16

What will poor infant attachment lead to in later life?

Answer 16

Poor future attachments, and a harsher parenting style.

Question 17

What will good infant attachment lead to in later life?

Answer 17

Good future attachment and secure parenting style.

Question 18

Strengths of the Monotropic Theory

Answer 18

• Infants actively use behaviours to elicit caregiving, supporting idea of social releasers.
• Supporting evidence from Brazleton et al. (1975), observed babies with caregivers, saw interactional synchrony. When caregivers stopped responding, babies became distressed, supports social releasers.
• Bailey et al. (2007) supports internal working model - interviewed 99 mothers about attachments to parents, and infants. Typically, the poorer the attachment with parents, the poorer the attachment with infants.
• Internal working model has good testability, as it’s generational.

Question 19

Limitations of the Monotropic Theory

Answer 19

• Schaffer and Emerson (1964) contradicts the theory, as they showed that infants can form multiple attachments.
• Suess et al. (1992) found that attachment to mothers is only a predictor of later attachments with infants.
• Monotropic theory may seem to criticise working mothers, blaming them for any of their child’s issues - argued by feminist, Erica Burman (1994).
• Some argue that individual differences in temperament may be more important in attachment. For example, Kagan (1982) found that some infants and naturally more anxious or sociable.