Monotropic attachment

• What is Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory primarily about?


  Attachment
• What are social releasers in Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory?


  • Unlock innate tendency of adults to care for babies
  • Physical features: typical 'baby face' (e.g., big eyes)
  • Behavioral features: crying, cooing, smiling
• What does the term "monotropy" refer to in Bowlby’s theory?


  One very special attachment formed with the primary attachment figure
• Who is considered the primary attachment figure according to Bowlby?


  The person who interacts with the infant most sensitively
• How does Bowlby’s law of accumulated separation describe the effects of separation from the mother?


  Every separation adds up, and the safest dose is zero separation
• Why does Bowlby believe forming attachments is adaptive?


  It helps the infant survive and is passed down through evolution
• What is the Internal Working Model in Bowlby’s theory?


  A model for future relationships based on the primary attachment figure
• How does a stable secure infant relate to their future as an adult according to Bowlby?


  A stable secure infant becomes a stable emotionally secure adult
• What are the issues with Bowlby’s critical period concept?


  • Czech twins formed attachments despite neglect until age 7
  • Suggests it may be a "sensitive period" instead
  • Twins may have formed attachments with each other
• What did Schaffer and Emerson's research reveal about monotropy?


  By 18 months, 87% of babies had formed multiple attachments
• What does mixed research into primary and multiple attachments suggest?


  The primary attachment may be stronger, but multiple attachments are possible
• What support exists for Bowlby’s internal working model?


  • Harlow's research with Rhesus monkeys
  • Monkeys neglected their own infants after separation
  • Suggests long-term effects of absence of attachment
• Why might Harlow's findings be difficult to generalize to humans?


  Because the study was conducted on monkeys