monotropic theory

• john bowlby
• attachment is adaptive, evolutionary
• sensitive periods where attachment is most effectively formed
• caregiving is adaptive - reciprocal social releases in child (baby face hypothesis)
• secure base - promotes independence
• monotropy - only one primary attachment figure
• hierarchy of attachment - secondary attachment figures
• internal working model - basis of future relationships
• continuity hypothesis - continuity of emotional behaviour
• ✔️ supported by lorenz's geese eggs study - imprinting is innate
• ✔️ supported by harlow's monkey study - quality of care is important
• ✔️ tronick et al - efe tribe
• X socially sensitive - limits women to caregiver role, devalues father
• X learning theory - suggests attachment is learned
• Van IJzendoorn & Tavecchio - a stable network of adults can provide adequate or better care than a mother who has to meet all a child’s needs.
• Schaffer & Emerson (1964) - although the first attachment is strong, they are not necessarily any stronger than subsequent attachments.