Validity of monotropy

• P- one limitation of Bowlby’s theory is that the concept of monotropy lacks validity
• E- Schaffer and emerson (1964) found that almost most babies did attach to one person at first, a significant minority formed multiple attachments at the same time. By 18 months 32% had at least 5 attachments (Schaffer and Emerson found that 1/3 of infants preferred their father)
• E- additionally although the first attachment does appear to have a particularly strong influence on later development, this may simply mean it is stronger, not necessarily different in quality from the child’s other attachments. For example other attachments to family members provide all the same qualities
• E- additionally although the first attachment does appear to have a particularly strong influence on later developments, this may simply mean it is stronger, not necessarily different in quality from the child’s other attachments. For example other attachments to family members provide all the same qualities
• L- this means that Bowlby may be invorrect that there is a unique quality and importance to the child’s primary attachment