monotropic theory B

• 5 stages


  adaptive, social releasers, critical period, monotropy, internal working model
• adaptive


  attachments are adaptive, forming them helps to ensure survival of a child
• social releasers


  babies born with innate cute behaviours that encourage attention from adults, helps to ensure survival
• critical period


  2 years long, attachment system active, harder to form attachments after this period
• monotropy


  most important attachment, special bond with primary caregiver (mother), emphasises child's attachment to them
• internal working model


  mental representation of relationship with primary caregiver formed in child, serves as template for future relationships
• Support study 1 Lorenz (1952)


  • imprinting of goslings in critical period - 13-16 hours.
  • able to form attachments to things that aren't mother
  • increases chances of survival
• Support study 2 Hazan and Shaver (1987)

  'Love Quiz' examined past relationships and attachments.

  • positive correlation between attachment type and past experiences with romantic relationships.
  • 620 participants
  • pop validity - may be biased as the pps were volunteers who would have already been interested in this subject
• Critical Study 1 - Rutter et al (1998)


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