Attachment: Bowlbys monotropic theory Flashcards
Bowlbys theory is
an evolutionary explanation for attachment
Bowlby believed attachment was
innate
Why did imprinting and attachment evolve?
ensured young animals stayed close to caregivers
protect them from hazards
Adaptive
attachments are adaptive
species more likely to survive
infant + caregiver = kept warm, given food
social releasers
unlock innate tendency for adults to care for them
types of social releaser
behavioural - cooing, crying
physical - neotenous features
critical period
attachment w PCG within 2 1/2 years
need continual care within period
what happens if attachment doesn’t take place within critical period?
damaged for life
harder to form attachments in future
monotropy
one particular caregiver
more time spent with caregiver, the better
what laws supports the idea more time spent with caregiver the better?
law of continuity
law of accumulated separation
internal working model
mental representation of their relationship with PCG
mental scheme what future relationships are like
continuity hypothesis
child’s ability to be a parent themselves
base parenting on experiences
A03: against monotropy
Schaffer and emerson
some babies able to form multiple attachments at same time
A03: mixed ideas for monotropy
Izjendoorn and Kroonenberg
monotropy scarce in collectivist cultures
unlikely to be universal feature of caregiver-interaction
limits explanation
A03: socially sensitive idea: burden on mothers
implications for mothers lifestyle choices
pressure on working mothers to delay return to work to ensure child develops secure attachment
monotropy stigmatises ‘poor mothers; pressures them to take responsibility
