Attachment: Explanations of attachment (Monotropic Theory) Flashcards
Who came up with the Monotropic Theory??
Bowlby in 1969
Is the Monotropic Theory nature or nurture and why??
Nature:
- Attachment is innate and increases chance of survival
- Imprinting an attachment evolved because of their protective advantages
What is Monotropy??
Child’s attachment is emphasised towards ONE caregiver and this is more important than others!
What are the 2 principles of Monotropy??
- Law of continuity (More consistent and predictable pattern of care = better quality attachment)
- Law of accumulated separation (Every time you’re separated from your mother adds up)
What are Social Releasers??
Babies are born with innate ‘cute’ behaviours because they activate adult attachment systems
What is the Critical Period??
2 years (sensitive period where infant is particularly sensitive to forming attachments).
Child will find it hard to form attachment later if one isn’t formed during Critical Period.
What’s the Internal Working Model??
Baby’s representation of their relationship with their primary caregiver.
E.g.
First experience of relationship = loving and reliable
SO
Baby puts love and reliability into future relationships
What is the AO3 point for the support of Social Releasers??
Brazleton et al (1975):
Caregivers asked to ignore their baby’s social releasers. Resulted in infants showing distress. Further ignoring led to infant curling up and lying motionless.
What is the AO3 point for the support of The Internal Working Model??
Bailey et al (2007):
Mothers who reported poor attachments to their mothers in interviews were much more likely to have children with poor attachments to themselves (observation)
What is the AO3 point for the significance of the first attachment??
Suess et al (1992):
Most studies show that attachments to the mother are most important in predicting future behaviour.
Supports Bowlby’s prediction of the first attachment having significance.
