Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory

Question 1

What is Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment

Answer 1

Animals and humans have an innate tendency to form attachments. This is rooted in evolutionary theory.

Question 2

How are attachments adaptive

Answer 2

Attachments give our species an advantage as they make us more likely to survive as the infant is kept save, given food, warm ect.

Question 3

Define social releases

Answer 3

Innate social behaviours or characteristics which elicit caregiving and leads to attachment

Question 4

What are the two types of social releasers

Answer 4

Behavioural and physical

Question 5

Give two behavioural social releasers

Answer 5

Crying and cooing

Question 6

What is a physical social releaser

Answer 6

Baby face features and body proportions

Question 7

What is the critical period in humans

Answer 7

Babies have to form an attachment within the first 2 years of their life otherwise their development will be damaged

Question 8

What is monotropy

Answer 8

Infants form one very special emotional bond (the primary attachment relationship)

Question 9

What is the internal working model

Answer 9

A mental schema for relationships based on the attachment with our primary caregiver. All child’s future adult relationships will be based on this.

Question 10

What is the law of continuity

Answer 10

A high quality relationship with the primary caregiver in infancy will lead to higher quality childhood and adult relationships and vice versa for poorer quality relationships.