Bowlby's Monotropic Theory

Question 1

What are the assumptions of Bowlby’s monotropic theory?

Answer 1

Believes that attachment behaviours serve an evolutionary advantage and are coded in our genetic structure. This theory believes in nature not nurture. According to this theory, attachment is a set of behaviours that have aided our survival and allowed our genes to continue

Question 2

What are the 5 key principles within Bowlby’s monotropic theory?

Answer 2

1. Attachment is monotropic
2. Monotropic attachment is innate and adaptive
3. Infants use social releasers to elicit caregiving
4. The monotropic attachment has a “critical period”
5. Monotropic attachment forms our internal working model

Question 3

What does monotropic mean?

Answer 3

There is a preference for one person, the primary caregiver

Question 4

What did Bowlby mean by monotropic attachment is innate and adaptive?

Answer 4

We have an innate drive to form an attachment, therefore making it an adaptive trait.

Question 5

What are social releasers?

Answer 5

Physical actions such as the baby face or behavioural actions such as crying and cooing. They ‘unlock’ the innate tendency of adults to care for them

Question 6

What is the critical period for monotropic attachment?

Answer 6

A 2.5-3 years window of development when an infant is most easily and quickly able to form an attachment

Question 7

What is an internal working model?

Answer 7

This is an individual’s template for all future relationships based on their first monotropic attachment relationship

Question 8

What is the continuity hypothesis?

Answer 8

Suggests there is a clear link between early attachment and later emotional behaviour