bowlby's monotropic theory (1969)

• bowlby's attachment theory (1969)

  1. attachment is adaptive + innate
  2. sensitive period
  3. caregiving is adaptive
  4. a secure base
  5. monotropy and hierarchy
  6. internal working model
  7. continuity hypothesis
• attachment is adaptive and caregiving

  • bowlby's theory is an evolutionary theory

  according to bowlby...

  • children have innate drive to become attached to a caregiver
  • a young animal stays close to a caregiver who will feed and protect the young animal = adaptive behaviour
• adaptive behaviour

  behaviours that increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction
• sensitive period

  • a child requires the continuous presence of a primary carer throughout a sensitive period lasting at least the first 18 months to 2 years
  • bowlby identified 2 serious consequences of the failure to form an attachment or serious disruption to the attachment during this sensitive period (eg. prolonged separation from primary carer)
• caregiving in adaptive

  • bowlby noted infants born with a set of instinctive behaviours, including smiling, sucking, gesturing and crying
  • these have evolved in order to maximise the chances of being well looked after and hence surviving
  • bowlby (1957):
  • termed these behaviours as 'social releasers'
  • function: to elicit instinctive parenting responses from adults
• • the interplay between social releasers and parenting responses is the process that builds the attachment between infant and carer
  • failure on the part of the carer to provide the appropriate parenting response to the child's social releasers leads to psychological damage
• secure base

  attachment...

  • is important for protection
  • acts as a scure base fromw hich a child can explore the world
  • is a safe haven to return when threatened
  • fosters independence
• monotropy and hierarchy

  • monotropy = primary attachment
  • mothers
  • hierachy - secondary attachment figures
  • grandparents, aunts, parents, siblings
• internal working model

  • bowlby proposed that the developing child formed a mental representation of their first attachment relationship and that this would have profound effects on their later relationships and on their own success as a parent = IWM
  • if the child internalises a working model of attachment as kind and reliable, they will tend to bring these qualities to their future relationships
  • if neglected or abused = chance they will reproduce these patterns
• the continuity hypothesis

  • the link between the early attachment relationship and later emotional behaviour
  • individuals securely attached in infancy continue to be socially and emotionally competent
  • insecurely attached children have more social and emotional difficulties later in childhood and adulthood