bowlbys monotropic theory of attachment

• Does this theory take the evolutionary side

  Yes
• What is the evolutionary theory

  The tendency to form attachments is INNATE and it highlights the adaptive value of attachment behaviour to aid survival
• What are the 5 key principles

  1.monotropy

  2.critical period

  3.social releases

  4.internal working model

  5.continuity
• what is monotropy

  attaching to one caregiver more than another
• what is a critical period

  forming an attachment up until 6 months, it gets difficult to form one after this. cut off is 2 years
• What are the 2 types of attachment theories

  Evolutionary and leaning
• what is a learning theory

  infants have no innate tendency to form attachments. they learn attachments because of food
• What is the internal working model

  Early attachment provides a blue print/ template for later relationships.
• what is the continuity hypothesis

  later relationships mirror the nature of the attachment to the monotropic figure.
• what do strong attachments to infant create

  socially and emotionally competent later on
• what do weak attachments in infancy cause

  social and emotional difficulties later
• what is a strength of this theory

  there is supposed research for the IWM and continuity hypothesis (p)

  hazan and shaver published a “love quiz” in a newspaper (e)

  they found that early attachment styles was similar to attachment style in romantic relationships (e)

  therefore this provides support for the IWM proving its a model for later relationships
• What is a weakness of this theory

  Ignores the role of the father (p)

  Bowlbys focus was very much focused on the role of the mother as the mono tropic figure (e)

  Schaffer and Emerson found that 1/3 infants preferred their father.(e)

  Therefore 2/3 prefer their mother and ignore the father role.(l)
• what is a strength of this theory

  There is support for social releases (p)

  Cute babies behaviours are designed to elecit interaction from caregivers (e)

  Brazelton observed the use of social triggers and found that caregivers ignoring infants results in stress
• what is the final weakness of this theory

  monotropy is unlikely to exist (p)

  Schaffer and Mersin found by 18 months 32% had at least 5 attachments (e)

  as well as crittended and Marlowe found the thrive in Tanzania share childcare monotropy unlikely to develop. (E)

  therefore it cant be generalised (l)