Bowlby's Monotropic Theory Flashcards
What is monotropy
A child’s attachment to one particular caregiver, which is different and more important to others. He named this person the mother or PCG (Primary Care Giver).
What are two principles that clarify monotropy (explain)
The law of continuity: The more constant and predictable a child’s care is, the better the quality of their attachment.
The law of accumulated separation: The effects of every separation from the mother adds up and the ‘safest dose’ is no dose.
What are social releasers
Babies are born with a set of innate ‘cute’ behaviours like smiling, cooing and gripping that encourage attention from adults (social releasers). It purpose is to activate adult social interaction and make an adult attach to the baby
What is the critical period
Bowlby proposed that there is a critical period around 6 months when the infant attachment system is active = sensitive period. A child is maximally sensitive at 6 months and possibly extends up to the age of 2 years. If an attachment is not formed at this time a child will find it much harder to form one later.
Internal working model
Bowlby proposed that a child forms a mental representation of their relationship with their PCG. This serves as a model for what relationships are like.
Bowlby AO3 Validity
LACKS VALIDITY
- Schaffer and Emerson found that although babies do attach to one person at first, later they form multiple attachments at the same time. Bowlby may be incorrect that there’s a unique quality and importance to the child’s PCG.
Bowlby AO3 Brazelton
Brazelton: observed babies trigger interactions with adults using social releasers. The PCGs were told to ignore the social releasers. Babies became increasingly distressed and some eventually curled up and lay motionless.
AO3 Feminist concerns
The laws of continuity and accumulated separation suggest that mothers who work may negatively affect their child’s emotional development. This sets up mothers to take the blame for anything that goes wrong in their child’s future. It also gives people an excuse to restrict mothers’ activities like returning to work.
