Bowbly’s Monotropic Theory Flashcards
What is Monotropy?
The idea that infants have an inbuilt tendency to make an initial attachment with one attachment figure. Usually the mother.
What does Innate mean?
A behaviour that is instinctive and does not need to be learned.
What is an Internal working model?
A mental representation that is used as a template for future relationships based on an infant’s primary attachment.
What are Social releasers?
Innate behaviours shown by an infant that cause a caregiving response (e.g., cooing).
What is a Critical period?
A specific time period within which an attachment must form, if it is to form at all.
What is a Sensitive period?
The best time for attachments to form. They can still form outside of this period but with more difficulty.
Why did Bowlby propose the monotropic theory?
John Bowlby rejected the learning theory of attachment, stating that ‘if it were true, an infant of a year or two should take readily to whomever feeds them and this is clearly not the case’. Having looked at the work of Lorenz and Harlow, Bowlby proposed an evolutionary theory of attachment.
Evolutionary explanation
-Attachment is an innate survival mechanism, ensuring infants stay close to caregivers for protection.
-Bowlby suggested attachment evolved through natural selection, particularly in response to predator threats.
-Infants are genetically programmed to display behaviours that enhance survival chances.
Social Releasers
-Babies are born with ‘cute’ behaviours (smiling, cooing, gripping) to attract caregiver attention.
-These behaviours trigger attachment responses in adults, ensuring bonding.
- Attachment is a reciprocal process, hardwired in both infant and caregiver.
Internal working model
-Early attachment forms a mental blueprint for future relationships.
-Positive early relationships lead to healthy expectations in later relationships, while negative experiences create poor relationship patterns.
-The model also affects parenting styles, as individuals base their caregiving on their own childhood experiences.
Monotropy
-Bowlby’s theory emphasises a single, special attachment (usually to the mother but not necessarily biological).
-The law of continuity states that consistent care leads to better attachment quality.
-The law of accumulated separation suggests repeated separations negatively impact development.
Critical Period
-Social releasers help form attachments during early development.
-Bowlby initially proposed a critical period of 6 months, later extending it to a sensitive period up to 30 months.
-If attachment does not form in this time, it becomes much harder to develop later.
