Bowlby's Monotropic theory Flashcards
What was Bowlby’s explanation of attachment?
According to Bowlby, attachment is a behaviour that has evolved because of its survivial value
What was the concept of Bowlby’s monotropic theory?
- He believed that childs attachment to one particular caregiver is different & more important than others
- Often the biological mother - but not always
- Bowlby believed the more time spent with mother figure/ primary attachment figure the better
Secondary attachments provide important safety net and are important for psychological and social development.
What were the two principles Bowlby put forward to clarify the monotropic theory?
The law of continuity- The more constant and predictable a childs care, the better quality of their attachment
The law of accumulated separation- having substantial time apart from a primary caregiver risks a poor quality attachment that will disadvantage the child in a range of ways (later on)
What did Bowlby suggest social releasers were?
That babies are born with certain characteristics that elict caregiving & explain how attachments are formed
e.g. big eyes,small nose,smiling,cooing
What did Bowlby suggest the critical period was?
- The time within which an attachment must form if it is to form at all and if not child will find it much harder to form one later
- 30 months/ 2& a half years
- At around 6 months when the infant attachment system is active
What did Bowlby propse the internal working model was?
Where the infant forms a mental representation of their primary attachment relationship
How does the concept of the internal working model play out?
A child whose 1st experience is of a loving relationship with a reliable caregiver will tend to form expectation that all relationships are as loving & reliable
However, child whose 1st relationship involves poor treatment will tend to form further poor relationships in which they expect such treatment from others &/or treat others in that way
What is the most important thing the internal working model affects?
- The childs later ability to be a parent themselves
People tend to base their parenting behaviour on their own experiences of being parented
What is one strength for Bowlby’s monotropic theory?
- The evidence there is supporting the role of social releasers
T.Berry Brazelton et al (1975) observed babies trigger interactions with adults using social releasers.
Researchers instructed babies primary attachment figures to ignore their babies social releasers
What were T.Berry Brazletons findings?
- Babies who were previously shown to be normally responisve became increasingly distressed & some eventually curled up & lay motionless
Illustrates role of Social releasers in emotional development
Give one limitation of Bowlby’s monotropic theory.
- The concept monotropy lacks validity
- Schaffer & Emerson found that although most babies did attach to one person at first- significant minority formed multiple attachments at same time
Also, although 1st attachment does appear to have particularly strong influence on later behaviour, it may mean attachment is stronger not necessarily different
Means bowlby may be incorrect that there is a unique quality to childs primary attachment
Give another strength to Bowlby’s theory
- Lots of support for the internal working model.
Heidi Bailey et al (2007)
* assesed attachment relationships in 99 mothers & their 1yr old babies:
* Researchers measured mothers attachment to theirown primary attachment figures
* Researchers also assesed the attachment quality of the babies
What were Heidi Bailey et al’s findings?
- Mothers with poor attachment to their own primary attachment figures were more likely to have poorly attached babies
Supports bowlbys idea that mothers ability to form attachments to their babies is influenced by thier IWM
What is the counterpoint to the research support for the internal working model?
Probaly other important influences on soical development
e.g. some psychologists believe that genetic differences in anxiety & socialbility affect social behaviour in both babies & adults - these differences could also impact parenting ability.
which further suggests…
