AO1 - monotropy

• What is the main concept of Bowlby's theory of attachment?

  Monotropic theory of attachment
• What does the term 'monotropy' refer to in Bowlby's theory?

  Attachment to one primary caregiver
• What is the continuity hypothesis in Bowlby's theory?

  Earlier attachments influence later relationships
• What are social releasers according to Bowlby?

  Innate behaviors that attract adult attention
• What is the critical period in Bowlby's attachment theory?

  A sensitive time for forming attachments
• At what age did Bowlby suggest the attachment system is most active?

  Around two years old
• What is the internal working model in Bowlby's theory?

  Mental representation of relationships
• How does the internal working model affect future parenting?

  Shapes parenting behavior based on past experiences
• What are the key concepts of Bowlby's attachment theory summarized by MICCIS?

  • M: Monotropy
  • I: Internal working model
  • C: Continuity hypothesis
  • C: Critical period
  • I: Innate
  • S: Social releasers
• Who developed the monotropic theory of attachment?

  John Bowlby
• What evolutionary advantage does Bowlby propose for attachment?

  Ensures young animals stay close to caregivers
• How do social releasers function in the attachment process?

  They activate the adult attachment system
• What happens if an attachment is not formed during the critical period?

  It becomes harder to form attachments later
• What does Bowlby mean by the law of continuity?

  Consistent care improves attachment quality
• What is the law of accumulated separation?

  Every separation from the caregiver adds up
• What behaviors are considered social releasers?

  Smiling, cooing, and gripping
• How does Bowlby view the attachment process?

  As a reciprocal process between infant and caregiver
• What is the significance of the sensitive period in Bowlby's theory?

  Maximal sensitivity for forming attachments
• How does Bowlby describe the relationship between imprinting and attachment?

  Both evolved to ensure safety of young
• What does Bowlby mean by 'mother-figure'?


  Primary attachment figure, not necessarily biological
• What is the role of the primary attachment figure?

  Provides constant and predictable care
• How does Bowlby's theory explain the behavior of children from functional families?

  They tend to replicate their parents' behaviors
• What does the internal working model refer to in attachment theory?

  Child's attachment acts as a template
• What are the features of Bowlby’s theory of attachment?

  • Social releasers
  • Monotropy
  • Critical period
  • Internal working model
• What was the purpose of Lorenz's study on baby geese?

  To understand how baby geese form attachments
• What were the two main questions Lorenz aimed to answer in his study?

  Attachment to mother or others, time to form attachments
• What would it mean if geese formed attachments over a long period?

  Attachments are formed through experience
• What would it indicate if baby geese were immediately attached to their mother?

  Attachment is biologically pre-programmed
• Describe Lorenz's experiment with baby geese.

  • Split eggs into two groups
  • One group hatched with mother
  • Other group hatched in incubator with Lorenz
  • Observed attachment formation
• What was the control group in Lorenz's experiment?

  Baby geese hatched normally with mother
• What was the experimental group in Lorenz's experiment?

  Baby geese hatched in the incubator
• What did Lorenz observe after the geese were born?

  How long it took to form attachments
• What did the control group do after hatching?

  Formed an attachment to their mother immediately
• What did the experimental group do after hatching?

  Attached to the first thing they saw
• What conclusion did Lorenz draw about baby geese's attachment behavior?

  Attachments are formed immediately after birth
• What term did Lorenz use to describe the immediate attachment process?

  Imprinting
• What happens after a baby goose has imprinted?

  Unable to form attachments to others
• How does Lorenz's study support Bowlby’s theory of monotropy?

  Attachments are formed to only one person
• What did Lorenz find about the formation of attachments?

  Attachments couldn't be formed through experience
• What is monotropy in attachment theory?

  • Babies can only form attachments to one person
  • This concept is central to Bowlby's theory