Attachment - Bowlby's monotropic theory Flashcards
Introduction to Bowlby
-Born in London in 1907 to an upper-middle-class family
- Father was a surgeon to the king’s household
- Raised primarily by a nanny, seeing his mother only 1 hour per day
- Early experiences shaped his future work in psychology
- Focused on studying early childhood and mother-child relationships
Key components of monotropic theory
- Adaptive: attachment is an evolutionary behaviour for survival
- Social releases; behaviours that draw adult attention
- Critical period: Timeframe for forming attachments (up to 2.5 years)
- Monotropy: Emphasis on one primary attachment figure
- Internal working model: Template for future relationships
Adaptive nature of attachment
- Bowlby saw attachment as an innate, evolutionary process
- Infants are born with biological abilities to seek attachment
- Attachment increases chances of survival
- Helps meet the child’s needs and protects from dangers
Social releases
- Behaviours or signals from infants that attract adult attention
- E.g: smiling, cooing, gripping a hand
- Instinctive, not learned behaviours
- Initiate reciprocal interactions between infant caregiver
Critical period
- Specific timeframe for forming attachments
- Up to 2.5 years
- Failure to form attachments during this period may have lasting consequences
- Affects social, emotional, and intellectual development
Monotropy
- Emphasises on one primary attachment figure (usually mother)
- This relationship is considered more significant than others
- Forms the basis for future relationships and development
Internal working model
- Mental representation of relationships formed in early childhood
- Acts as a template for future relationships
- Influences expectations in romantic relationships
- Shapes one’s own parenting style
Supporting evidence: animal studies
-Lorenz’s study on imprinting in geese
- Demonstrated instinctive nature of attachment
- Showed evidence of a CP for forming attachments
- Harlow’s research with rhesus monkeys
- Highlighted importance of comfort over food in attachment
Supporting Human studies
- Hazan and Shaver’s “Love Quiz”
- Found correlation between attachment type and adult relationships
- Secure attachment linked to trusting, positive relationships
- Insecure attachment associated with fear of closeness, lack of trust
Challenges to Bowlby’s theory
- Schaffer and Emerson:
Multiple attachments possible - Cultural variations in caregiving practices
- Potential underestimation of fathers’ roles
- Socially sensitive: places heavy responsibility on mothers
Impact and legacy
-Bowlby’s work influences education, parenting, and childcare
- Shaped much of modern psychology
- Advised the WHO
- Led to further research - Mary Ainsworth’s strange situation
