Attachment - explanations of attachment: Bowlby's monotropic theory

Question 1

What is the acronym to help remember this theory?

Answer 1

M - monotropy
I - internal working model
S - social releases
S - survival
C - critical period
E - evolutionary
C - continuity hypothesis
I - innate

Question 2

In what way was his theory an evolutionary one?

Answer 2

Believed attachment was innate as it has a survival advantage
Attachment seen as a two-way process (mother and baby seek proximity)
Argues attachment has evolved as a way of keeping the infant safe

Question 3

What is monotropy?

Answer 3

Babies form one special attachment with their mother - special intense attachment
If mother isn’t available, infant could bond with another ever-present adult (‘mother substitute’)

Question 4

What is the law of continuity?

Answer 4

The more constant and predictable a child’s care is, the better the attachment

Question 5

What is the law of accumulated separation?

Answer 5

The effects of every separation from mother add up and ‘the safest does is a zero dose’

Question 6

What is the internal working model?

Answer 6

First attachment forms a template (or schema) for future adult relationships

Question 7

What is a schema?

Answer 7

Pattern of thought or behaviours that organises categories of info and relationships among them

Question 8

What is the continuity hypothesis?

Answer 8

The template continues into adulthood and affects future relationships
Child who received continuous care from primary caregiver will develop a positive IWM and have positive expectations of relationships in future
Child who received lack of sensitive caregiving will develop a negative IWM and have negative expectations of future relationships