Bowlby's Monotropic Theory

• Bowlby’s monotropic theory-Attachment is innate and provides a survival advantage.
• There are 5 main aspects to Bowlby's monotropic theory.

  1. Monotropy-The one primary attachment is different and more important than others.
  2. Social releasers-Innate behaviours (e.g. crying, smiling) that elicit adult responses (e.g. caring).
  3. Critical period-The period after birth in which babies are best adapted to form attachments.
  4. Internal working model-The mental template for relationships based on first attachment. This created the continuity hypothesis.
  5. Continuity Hypothesis- what relationship you have is what you are able to give as an adult.
• One strength of Bowlby's theory of attachment is that there is research support. Tronick's study of the Efe tribe, where he found babies had multiple caregiver who fed them, but had one primary attachment to their biological mother. This proves Bowlby was right where he said the primary attachment forms based on who is most sensitive to babies needs
• one strength of Bowlby's monotropic theory is real life applications such as women being allowed custody of their children.
• however one weakness of Bowlby's monotropic theory is that it is socially sensitive. It puts burden on the mother for if something goes wrong with the child, it is the mother's fault. and may make single fathers feel inadequate.