Attachment - Bowlby’s monothropic theory & Maternal deprivation theory

Question 1

Explain the first element of Bowlby’s monothropic theory

Answer 1

Monotropy - A child’s attachment to one particular caregiver which is different and more important than others, the more time spent together the better
The law of continuity = The more consistent and predictable a child’s care, the better quality of attachment
The law of accumulated separation = The effects of every separation from the mother ‘add up’ the safest dose is zero

Question 2

Explain the second element of Bowlby’s monothropic theory

Answer 2

Social releasers - Suggested babies are born with a set of innate ‘cute’ behaviours that encourages attention from adults. Both mother and baby have an innate predisposition to become attached

Critical period - Around 2 years when the infant attachment is active. If an attachment is not formed they will find it harder later on in life

Question 3

Explain the third element of Bowlby’s monothropic theory

Answer 3

Internal working model - Proposed that a child forms mental representations of their relationship with their primary caregiver which serves as a model for what relationships are like. Affects the childs later ability to be a parent themselves as they base their behaviour on their experiences

Question 4

Evaluate Bowlby’s monothropic theory

Answer 4

✅ Lorenz’s research supports Bowlby’s theory of a critical period - He found that upon hatching, baby geese followed the first moving adult they saw during a 12-17h period
❌ However, Schaffer and Emerson found that a significant minority of babies formed multiple attachments at the same time

❌ Some psychologists believed that genetic differences in anxiety and sociability affect social behaviour in both adults&babies. These differences could also impact parenting ability. T Bowlby may have overstated the importance of the IWM

Question 5

Explain Bowlby’s maternal deprivation theory