Bowlbys monotropic theory

• Describe monotropy

  • placed emphasis on attachment to one particular caregiver
  • this attachment is different and more important than other attachments
  • more time spent with caregiver the better
• Describe Bowlbys 2 laws in relation to monotropy

  1. The law of continuity= the more constant and predictable a childs care the better quality the attachment
  2. The law of accumulated separation= separation from the mother adds up- mother and baby shouldnt be separated at all
• Describe social releasers

  • Babies are born with a set of innate 'cute' behaviours
  • ( e.g smiling, cooing gripping)
  • These behaviours encourage attention from adults to activate the adult attachment system
• Describe the internal working model

  • children form mental representation of their attachment with their primary caregiver
  • children with a loving first experience/attachment tend to expect and form loving relationships
  • children with a poor attachment tend to expect poor treatment and treat others poorly in relationships
  • can also affect parenting ability as people tend to replicate their attachment with their primary caregiver/ attachment figure
• Describe a strength of Bowlbys theory

  Research support for internal working model

  • Bailey et al tested the theory that patterns of attachment are passed on through generations through the IWM
  • Assessed mothers attachment with their child aswell as their own relationships with their primary attachment figure through interviews
  • Found that mothers with poor attachments to their primary attachment figure had children that were poorly attached to them
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  Describe a counterpoint

  Other factors affecting social development

  • genetic differences in anxiety and social ability affect social development in children and adults
  • These differences could also impact parenting ability
  • Bowlby may have overstated the importance of the IWM
• Describe a strength for Bowlbys theory

  Research support for social releasers

  • Brazelton observed babies trigger adult interactions using social releasers
  • primary caregivers were instructed to ignore baby's social releasers
  • Babies became increasingly distressed with some even curling up and laying motionless
  • This illustrates the importance of social releasers in forming an attachment
• Describe a limitation of Bowlbys theory 


  Validity of monotropy challenged

  • Schaffer and Emerson found that although the babies attachment with their primary caregiver is significant it may not be different from the babies other attachments
  • Also although babies do attach to one specific caregiver initially a significant minority formed multiple attachments at the same time
  • Bowlby may be incorrect in stating there is a unique quality to the child's attachment to the primary caregiver
• Describe the critical period

  • Critical period of 6 months
  • Critical period is more of a sensitive period as a child can form attachments between 6 months and 2 years
  • However is most sensitive to forming attachments at 6 months
  • After 2 years it is much harder for a child to form an attachment