bowlby

Question 1

definition of monotropy

Answer 1

A child’s attachment to the primary caregiver (usually the mother) is different in quality to any other attachments they may form

Question 2

description of monotropy

Answer 2

An infant tends to attach to one main figure (monotropy) - most likely mother due to in the instinctive nature of attachment but isn’t always
This attachment different in quality to any other attachments the infant may form

Question 3

criticism of bowlby’s monotropic theory

Answer 3

Schaffer and Emerson
7 months - 29% babies had more than 1 attachment figure
10 months -59%
18 months - 87% (father main for 1/3)

Question 4

what is bowbly’s critical period?

Answer 4

a biologically determined period of time during which attachment can develop. outside of this time window attachment cant form.

Question 5

what was the critical period bowbly proposed?

Answer 5

2.5 years - mothering after 2.5 years is useless

Question 6

critical period criticism - what is the critical period considered to be?

Answer 6

socially sensitive so is sometimes called a sensitive period (when a attachment is likely to develop but can occur at a different time)

Question 7

critical period criticism - what does rutter argue?

Answer 7

bonding is a process which gradually builds - counters critical period

Question 8

what is bowlby’s evolutionary perspective?

Answer 8

based on darwins theory of evolution - any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individuals survival will be passed - strongly attached individuals have survival advantages

Question 9

criticism of bowlby’s evolutionary perspective?

Answer 9

attachment develop when the infants older than 3 months so is a late mechanism to protect infants.

Question 10

what are social releasers?

Answer 10

innate behaviours a baby is born with to encourage attention and reciprocity from an adult for example smiling

Question 11

why are social releasers important?

Answer 11

to ensure attachments develop from parent to infant e.g smiling and having a babyface which elicit caregiving

Question 12

strength of social releasers

Answer 12

brazelton et al found that when a mother ignored social releasers their baby initially cried and showed distress but then would curl up and lay motionless which suggests that response to social releasers is vital to maintaining a positive bond

Question 13

what is the internal working model?

Answer 13

a mental representation of a relationship with a primary caregiver which acts as a model for future relationships

Question 14

internal working model - short term effects

Answer 14

gives child insight into the caregivers behaviour and enables the child to influence the caregivers behaviour so that a true partnership can be formed.

Question 15

internal working model - long term effects

Answer 15

acts as a template for all future relationships as it generates expectations about what intimate loving relationships are like.

Question 16

strength of IWM

Answer 16

Bailey et al (2007) found that of mothers assessed, those who reported insecure attachments with their own parents tended to be those whose babies displayed insecure attachment towards them

Question 17

what is the continuity hypothesis?

Answer 17

the idea that emotionally secure infants go on to be emotionally secure trusting and socially confident adults

Question 18

what study supports the continuity hypothesis?

Answer 18

the Minnesota parent-child study - found continuity between early attachment and later behaviour