AO1

• What is Bowlby's monotropic theory?

  • Proposed an evolutionary explanation to attachment:
  • Attachment was an innate system that gave a survival advantage.
  • Imprinting and attachment evolved because they ensure that young animals stay close to their caregivers and this protects them from hazards.
• What is monotropy?

  Attachment to one caregiver (primary attachment figure) which is more important than their other attachments
• What are the two principles that contribute to a primary attachment figure?

  • THE LAW OF CONTINUITY: States that the more constant and predictable a child’s care, the better the quality of their attachment.
  • THE LAW OF ACCUMULATED SEPARATION: Stated that the effects of every separation from the mother add up ‘and the safest dose is therefore a zero dose’
• What are social releasers??

  • Babies are born with a set of innate ‘cute’ behaviours that encourage attention from adults.
  • Purpose is to activate the adult attachment system i.e. make an adult feel love towards the baby.
  • Recognised that attachment was a reciprocal process.
  • Both mother and baby have an innate predisposition to become attached & social releasers trigger that response in caregivers.
• According to Bowlby, what is the critical period of an infant?

  • CRITICAL PERIOD: 2 years.
  • Attachment not formed = difficult to form one later.
• What is the internal working model?

  • Mental representation of a person's relationship with primary caregiver serves as a model
  • Effect the nature of the child’s future relationships:
  • Child's first experience is of a loving relationship with a reliable caregiver = bring these qualities to future relationships.
  • Effects the child’s later ability to be a parent themselves.