Monotropic theory

• Monotropic hypothesis?(A01?)

  • Based on evolution, It argues forming an attachment is innate as it promotes survival​
  • It promotes survival as the caregiver provides food, shelter and warmth; they also provide a template for future relationships known as the internal working model​
  • The monotropy hypothesis argues we have one attachment stronger than any other and this is the attachment the IWM is based on​
  • Social releasers like crying and smiling have also evolved as they produce a response from the caregiver which increases survival​
  • Lastly it is argued there is a critical period of 2.5 years in which an attachment must form or there will be serious long term consequences for development​
• Supporting evidence for the IWM from Hazan and Shaver? (procedure?)

  • Supporting evidence for the IWM is shown by Hazan and Shaver who found romantic styles are linked to attachment types as infants.
  • They used a love quiz.
  • There were 3 parts to the questionnaire and asked p’s questions about relationship experiences, attachment history and attitudes toward love to find out current and childhood attachment types.
  • They analysed responses from a cross section of volunteers.
• Findings of Hazan and Shaver's study?

  • P’s who were secure rated their relationships as happy and trusting, lasting longer than insecure types (10 years compared to 5 or 6 years)
  • P’s who were resistant experienced obsession, emotional highs and lows and extreme attraction in adult relationships. They worried that they would be abandoned. 
  • P’s who were avoidant feared intimacy in romantic relationships. They believed that they did not need love to be happy. 
• What were the methodological issues with the love quiz?

  • Questionnaire uses retrospective data which means that the p’s have to think back many months or years and memories may not be correct.
  • Romantic relationships and childhood experiences are personal topics, so the p’s need to be seen in a good light due to social desirability bias.
  • P’s who volunteered are likely to be biased with people who are happy in their relationships.
  • It therefore does not have ecological validity and cannot generalise to real life.
  • The supporting evidence for early attachment is flawed, the IWM and the evolutionary theory are not valid at this point then 
• What are problems with the IWM regarding determinism?

  • There are problems with the IWM with early bonds proving an example for future relationships.
  • There are many other factors that influence relationships like experience of divorce, cheating within their past adult relationships.
  • Some suggest that we have an innate temperament that determines how well we form relationships.
  • Therefore as there may be other factors that affect later relationships, the theory is deterministic
• Supporting evidence from the Efe tribe?

  • There is evidence to support the monotropic idea, evidence comes from cross-cultural research in Zaire by Tronick et al (1992).
  • The Efe tribe live in extended family groups, infants are looked after and breastfed by different women but sleep with mother at night.
  • These infants show a preference for their mother at 6 months however.
  • This supports the idea that we have 1 attachment greater than any other. (central caregiver)
• Criticism study regarding role of the father?

  • Evidence that goes against it is evident.
  • Some disagree and feel that healthy psychological development is not best served by having one primary attachment. Different attachments serve different needs in infants.
  • Fathers are more stimulating and unpredictable but mothers hold infants, soothe them and attend to their needs.
  • Therefore, it could be that each attachment is important in its own way.
• What is one minor criticism regarding the sensitive period?

  • One criticism of the critical period is that it may not be absolute. Research shows that children who are adopted after the critical period can form attachments if extra effort is put in.
  • 2 and a ½ years may be a sensitive period, rather than a cut-off period