bowlby's monotropic theory

• monotropic theory = theory of attachment
• bowlby proposed evolutionary explanation of attachment - attachment was an innate system that gives a survival advantage
• bowlbys theory is described as monotropic because emphasis places of childs attachment to one particular caregiver
• bowlby's monotropic theory believed childs attachment to particular caregiver (mother) is different and more important than the others
• more time spent with the mother figure the better - suggested principles to clarify

  • law on continuity - more constant and predictable child care the better quality of attachment
  • low of accumulated separation - effects of every separation from mother adds up - safest = 0
• social releasers are series of innate 'cute' behaviours that babies are born with - smiling, cooing and gripping - encourage attention from adults
• purpose of social releasers is to activate adult attachment system - make adult feel love towards baby
• bowlby proposed there is critical period of around 2 years when infant attachment system is active

  • viewed it as 'sensitive period'
  • if attachment isnt formed by around 2 - theyll find it hard to form bonds later on
• bowlby argued child forms mental representation of their relationship with primary caregiver named internal working model which acts as a template for what relationships are like
• the internal working model have a powerful effect on attachment in early years and childs future relationships
• internal working model affects childs later ability to parent themselves - individual tend to base their parenting behaviour on own experiences when they were being parented
• continuity hypothesis is the idea that later relationships are influenced by earlier experiences of attachment - seen to continue through generations
• Monotropy

  Social releasers

  Critical period

  Internal working model

  Continuity hypothesis
• evaluation for Bowlby's monotropic theory

  • evidence for continuity hypothesis
  • sensitive rather than critical period
  • evidence supporting monotropy
• evidence for continuity hypothesis (+)

  • research support from minnesota parent child study which heightens Bowlby's claims for continuity hypothesis
  • researchers followed ptts from infancy to later adolescence and found continuity between early attachments and later social/emotional later on
  • supports bowlby's continuity hypothesis as it demonstrates a clear link between early and later attachment
  • strengthens bowlbys explanation of attachment
• sensitive rather than critical period (-)

  • idea of there being critical period of 2 years for an attachment to form is criticised
  • rutter et al found infants are still able to form attachment outside of critical period
  • researchers now use term 'sensitive period' which illustrates the possibility infants can form attachment bonds after 6 months
  • suggests bowlbys original idea of having 'critical period' was not accurate
  • limiting theory and its future application
• evidence supporting monotropy (+)

  • strength of bowlbys theory is there is evidence to support monotropy having role in formation of attachment
  • researchers concluded hierarchical model of attachment (emphasises one central person whos 'higher' than the others) is ore likely than multiple attachments
  • central person has significance and contributes to healthy emotional development
  • supports bowlbys concepts of monotropy and idea that there is special attachment which plays huge significant role in emotional development
  • research to support strengthens the explanation