Attachment- Explanations of attachment:Bowlby's theory Flashcards
Monotropic -
A term sometimes used to describe Bowlby’s theory. The mono means ‘one’ and indicates that one particular attachment is different from all others and of central importance to the child’s development.
Internal working models -
The mental representations we all carry with us of our attachment to our primary caregiver. They are important in affecting our future relationships because they carry our perception of what relationships are like.
Critical period -
This refers to the time within which an attachment must form if it is to form at all. Lorenz and Harlow noted that attachment in birds and monkeys had critical periods. Bowlby extended the idea to humans, proposing that human infants have a sensitive period after which it will be much more difficult to form an attachment.
What is Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment?
Bowlby’s monotropic theory proposes that attachment is an innate system providing a survival advantage, with a primary focus on the child’s attachment to one specific caregiver, called the primary attachment figure.
Why did Bowlby reject learning theory as an explanation for attachment?
Bowlby rejected learning theory because, if it were true, infants should readily attach to anyone who feeds them, which is not the case. Instead, he emphasized an evolutionary explanation for attachment.
What is monotropy in Bowlby’s theory?
Monotropy refers to the idea that a child’s attachment to one primary caregiver is unique and more important than attachments to others, providing a foundation for healthy emotional development.
What are Bowlby’s two principles related to monotropy?
Bowlby proposed two principles:
1. The law of continuity: The more constant and predictable a child’s care, the better the quality of attachment.
2. The law of accumulated separation: The effects of every separation from the primary caregiver add up, and the safest dose is zero separation.
What are social releasers, and what is their role in attachment?
Social releasers are innate behaviors (e.g., smiling, cooing) that babies use to attract adult attention and activate the adult attachment system, fostering a reciprocal attachment process.
What is the critical period in Bowlby’s theory?
Bowlby proposed a critical (or sensitive) period of around two years during which the infant attachment system is most active. If an attachment is not formed in this time, it becomes much harder to form later.
What is the internal working model in Bowlby’s theory?
The internal working model is a mental representation of the child’s relationship with their primary caregiver, shaping expectations and behaviors in future relationships and influencing their ability to parent.
What evidence challenges Bowlby’s idea of monotropy?
Schaffer and Emerson (1964) found that while most babies attach to one person first, a significant minority form multiple attachments simultaneously, questioning the uniqueness of the primary attachment.
What evidence supports the concept of social releasers?
Brazleton et al. (1975) observed that babies responded with distress and withdrawal when primary caregivers ignored their social releasers, supporting the importance of these behaviors in eliciting caregiving.
What evidence supports the internal working model?
Bailey et al. (2007) found that mothers with poor attachments to their own parents were more likely to have children with poor attachment, supporting the idea that attachment patterns are passed through generations.
Why is monotropy considered a socially sensitive idea?
Monotropy places significant responsibility on mothers, suggesting that separation from the primary caregiver risks poor attachment, which can influence lifestyle choices like returning to work.
How does temperament challenge Bowlby’s theory?
Temperament researchers argue that genetic personality traits (e.g., anxiety, sociability) influence social behavior independently of attachment experiences, suggesting Bowlby may overemphasize early attachment.
To what extent is monotropy a useful idea, and what problems does it cause?
Monotropy highlights the importance of a stable primary attachment but can burden mothers with responsibility and limit their lifestyle choices, raising questions about its practical implications.
To what extent is the existence of temperament a problem for Bowlby’s approach?
Temperament suggests that genetic factors play a significant role in social behavior, challenging Bowlby’s emphasis on early attachment experiences as the primary influence on development.
