bowlbys monotropic theory

• Contradictory evidence to bowlby’s monotropic theory is Schaffer and Emerson’s study that shows the importance of multiple attachments
• what is the internal working model?


  a blueprint/mental representation for future attachments, based off of how their relationship with their primary caregiver is
• bowlby argues infants have an innate drive to form one especially strong attachment to their mother (monotropy)
• infants use instinctive signals known as social releasers (crying, smiling etc) to attract the caregivers attention - promoting reciprocity which forms a stronger monotropic attachment
• bowlby believed there was a sensitive/critical period in which the child needed to form the monotropic attachment (6months - 2years) - if attachment is not formed in this time frame bowlby believed there would be permanent negative consequences
• supportive evidence for bowlby's explanation: Bailey et al

  assessed attachments with 99 mothers and their 1 year old babies, measuring the mothers attachment to their attachment figure and the quality of attachment with their baby.

  mothers who were poorly attached to their attachment figure were more likely to have poorly attached babies - supporting the idea of the internal working model being a blueprint for future relationships
• Bowlby's theory was based on Lorenz's findings of a critical period of attachment/imprinting in geese - however later research on orphans suggests this is more of a sensitive period in humans - decreasing the validity of bowlbys original concepts
• Harlows research supports the idea of a critical period -

  • Harlow also found that the monkeys had developmental issues, they were less skilled at mating and tended to be socially reclusive - shows the importance of an attachment being formed in the critical period 
• • Internal working model- mental schema for future relationships, based off our perceptions of the attachment we have with our primary attachment figure
• limitation - opposing evidence for critical period:

  case study of Czech twins who suffered deprivation & abuse until 7yrs old - but then received excellent care + had no negative consequences in adolescence.
• During the critical period, infant's brains are particularly sensitive to social stimuli, facilitating the establishment of secure attachment relationships
• law of continuity -the more consistent and predictable a child's caregiving experiences, the better the quality of their attachment