monotropic theory of attachment

Question 1

what is Bowlby’s monotropic theory

Answer 1

evolutionary explanation of attachment (also think mono= one attachment figure)

Question 2

what were 3 main assumptions made by Bowlby

Answer 2

-monotropic theory suggests that infants have an inbuilt tendency to make an initial attachment to one attachment figure (typically the mother).
-he argued the emotional bond between infant and mother have an evolutionary function
-attachments are now innate so infants behaviour is orientated to the mother to increase survival chances (this has evolved via natural selection)

Question 3

social releasers
(Bowlby key word)

Answer 3

innate, species-specific, attachment behaviours that gain and maintain the attention and proximity of their mother. This is to ensure survival and allows genes to be passed on and behaviours to be naturally selected.

Question 4

monotropy
(Bowlby key word)

Answer 4

innate tendency to form attachment with a particular adult (bowlby believed this to be the mother)

Question 5

critical period
(Bowlby key word)

Answer 5

a time when attachment behaviours and care-giver infant interactions must occur during the first 2-3 years otherwise an attachment will not ever form.

Question 6

internal working model
(Bowlby key word)

Answer 6

It is used as a template for future relationships and based on our primary attachment.

Question 7

one strength of Bowlby’s monotropic theory

Answer 7

There is evidence to support the role of social releasers in emotional development (which Bowlby argued) and it suggests they are important in the process of attachment.

Evidence to support this can be seen when Brazelton observed babies trigger interactions with adults using social releasers and then researchers instructed the primary attachment figures to ignore babies social releasers. This showed that babies became increasingly distressed, because they weren’t gaining the attention they needed to be able to form an attachment.

Question 8

one limitation of Bowlby’s monotropic theory

Answer 8

The concept of monotropy lacks validity. Schaffer and Emerson found that although most babies did only attach to one person at a time, a significant minority formed multiple attachments at one time. The first attachment did have the strongest influence on later behaviour, but other attachments (e.g. family members) provide the same key qualities.
Therefore Bowlby is incorrect as there is a unique quality and importance to the child’s primary attachment.