explanations : Bowlby’s theory

• what did Bowlby’s monotropic theory include ?

  * stated that attachment evolved as a mechanism to keep young animals safe by ensuring they stay close to adult caregivers

  * monotropy

  * social releases

  * critical period

  * internal working model
• monotropy in Bowlby’s theory

  * places emphasis on a child’s attachment to one particular parent as was more important than the others - ‘mother’

  * law of continuity - the more consistent and predictable a child’s care, the better quality of their attachment

  * law of accumulated separation - effects of every separation from mother add up “safest dose is therefore a zero dose” = more detrimental effects when separated (especially during critical period)
• social releases - Bowlby’s theory

  * babies are born with an innate set of ‘cute behaviours’ (smiling, gripping, giggling) which encourage attention and interaction from adults

  * this helps an attachment form and that the child is cared for

  * attachment is reciprocal - mother and child are ‘hard-wired’
• critical / sensitive period - Bowlby’s theory

  * 6 months - 2 years when child is maximally sensitive to the active infant attachment system

  * child finds it harder to form later attachments if an attachment isn’t formed in this time

  * can have irreversible/detrimental effects if child is separated and the caregiver isn’t replaced for emotional stability