Bowlby's Monotropic Theory

Question 1

describe the Monotropic theory

Answer 1

an evolutionary theory of attachment
states that attachments are innate

Question 2

what’s the acronym for the summery of the Monotropic theory

Answer 2

ASCMI (ask me)

Question 3

outline the first stage of Bowlby’s Monotropic theory

Answer 3

Adaptive
attachments are an advantage, or beneficial to survival as it ensures a child is kept warm and fed

Question 4

Outline the second stage of Bowlby’s Monotropic theory

Answer 4

Social releasers
example is cute faces on a baby
unlocks innate tendency for adults to care for a child, as it activates the mammalian attachment system

Question 5

Outline the third stage of BMT

Answer 5

Critical period
time which an attachment can form - by age 2
suggested that if an attachment isn’t formed by this time, it never wsill
outcome, child will be socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically stunned (proved by 44 thieves study)

Question 6

Outline fourth stage of BMT

Answer 6

Monotropy
defined as ‘one carer’
only form one special, intense attachment - this is stronger and unique
maternal deprivation - lack of mother figure during critical period, results in emotional deficits

Question 7

Outline the fifth stage of BMT

Answer 7

Internal working model (IWM)
mental schema for relationships
infomation on how to behave around people is stored
person’s perception of attachment with primary attachment figure

Question 8

Evaluate BMT

Answer 8

Strength: supporting evidence for IWM - Bailey et al (observed 99 mother’s & recorded children using SS

Limitation: monotropy is an example of socially sensitive research - mother’s can be put under pressure to ensure secure attachemnt is formed

Limitation: montotropy isn’t evident in all children - Schaffer & Emerson state small minority form multiple attachments
Izjendoorn & Kronenbergy suppor with culture differences (unlikedly to be universal feature of attachments)