bowlby's monotropic theory

• Bowlby's monotropic theory of attachment


  Attachment is important for a child's survival.

  They are innately programmed to attach during a critical period.

  One relationship an infant has is of special importance in the child's emotional development, providing them with an internal working model of how to conduct a relationship (continuity hypothesis).
• Monotropic theory of attachment and nature


  Attachment is important for a child's survival.

  Attachment behaviours in both babies and their caregivers have evolved through natural selection.

  Infants are biologically programmed with innate behaviours that attachment occurs.
• Innate programming


  All physical and psychological characteristics are naturally selected because they help an individual survive and reproduce.

  Infants are programmed to become attached to adults (vice versa).

  Social releasers: Behaviours that encourage a caregiver reaction are innate in infants. They are adaptive behaviour because they ensure the infant will be fed and protected.
• Critical period


  If attachment does not take place during a set period of time, it may not happen at all.

  Bowlby believed that attachment between the caregiver and an infant should not be disrupted before the age of 2.5 years.
• Monotropy


  One relationship that an infant has with their primary care giver is of special importance in emotional development.
• Continuity hypothesis


  The monotropic relationship provides the child with an internal working model of how to conduct a relationship.
• + Supporting evidence (Harlow)


  E - Harlow's findings support the concepts of innate programming and monotropy because the monkeys instinctively sought to be close to one specific mother.

  E - This suggests that the process of attaching to one person is innate.

  L - However, this evidence is from animal studies, which are not always generalisable to humans.
• + Supporting evidence for continuity hypothesis


  E - Hazan and Shaver's love quiz collected information from people about their early attachment experiences and their current romantic attitudes and experiences. They found that infants who had been securely attached when children went on to have happy, lasting and trusting relationships. Insecurely attached infants had less successful adult relationships.

  E - This supports the internal working model providing infants with template on how later relationships should be conducted.

  L - However, the continuity hypothesis is highly deterministic.
• - Not socially sensitive/Gender bias


  E - Bowlby's theory has led mothers to stay at home, having a negative impact on them. Some still believe that mothers should not work.

  E - Feminists state that Bowlby's theory places a burden of responsibility on mothers pushing them into particular lifestyle choices and placing the blame on them if anything goes wrong in their child's life.

  L - Therefore, this demonstrates gender bias (alpha bias)
• - Contradicting evidence for critical period


  E - Rutter et al studied adoptive infants. The infants were able to form attachments after Bowlby's critical period. However, the later the children were adopted, the slower their progress.

  E - This suggests that Bowlby may have identified a sensitive period rather than a critical period.

  L - Therefore, this limits the validity of Bowlby's findings.