Bowlby's monotropic theory

• Support for the law of continuity - COUNTER-AGRUMENT

  Zimmerman et al (2000):

  Longitudinal study of German children. Attachment type was assessed between 12 and 18 months by seeing how they respond to strangers and separation. They also recorded important life events. More important was the impact of the life events and found that infant attachment type was not a good predictor.
• Socially sensitive research

  Erica Burman (1994):

  Places a terrible burden of responsibility on mothers, setting them up to take the blame for anything that goes wrong in a Childs life.
• Bowlby's monotropic theory

  We have been biologically pre-programmed to form an attachment to caregivers through evolution
• what are social releasers?

  Behaviours that babies perform to attract the attention of their caregiver eg: crying cooing
• What is Bowlby's monotropic theory of attachment?

  Babies form attachments with just one, special caregiver.
• What is the critical period of attachment?

  The first two and a half years of a baby’s life during which babies can form an attachment to their main caregiver.
• What is the Internal working model?

  The internal working model is a schema built from a child’s relationship with its main attachment figure, that guides the child's  expectations and beliefs about future relationships.
• Strengths of Bowlbys monotropic theory

  Practical applications

  • Longer visiting hours in hospitals for children
  • Longer parental leave
• Weakness of Bowlbys monotropic theory

  Had some negative unintended consequences in the real world - it caused women to feel guilty if they did not stay home to look after their children.