Bowlby's Monotropic Theory

Question 1

what attachment theory does bowlby reject?

Answer 1

learning theory

Question 2

what does he believe instead of the learning theory?

Answer 2

• infants come into the world biologically pre-programmed to form an attachment
• attachment behaviour evolved over thousands of years due to it increasing chances of survival

Question 3

social releasers

Answer 3

• born with ‘cute’ behaviours = crying, smiling, cooing
• meant to stimulate care & loving behaviour from mum

Question 4

monotropic concept

Answer 4

• genetically programmed to attach to whoever responds to their social releasers
• they select 1 special figure (monotropy) = the primary attachment figure

Question 5

critical period

Answer 5

• 3-30 mths
• after this, infant will find forming an attachment more difficult

Question 6

internal working model

Answer 6

the baby will assume that all relationships will be like the type they experienced with their primary caregiver

Question 7

continuity hypothesis

Answer 7

a child’s early attachment experiences will shape emotional relationships later in life

Question 8

EVALUATION positive

Answer 8

CONTINUITY HYPOTHESIS
- supports bowlby = link between early & later attachments

Question 9

EVALUATION negatives

Answer 9

ADAPTIVE ATTACHMENT?
- the age is suited to when it would be important for survival
MULTIPLE ATTACHMENTS?
- rather than single - eg dad
KAGAN (1984)
- temperament needs to be taken into account