Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory - evaluation

Question 1

Monotropy is social sensitive because of implications for mothers

Answer 1

This theory pressurises mothers to stay at home shortly after giving birth, even when this isn’t the most financially beneficial option
- Feminists argue that mothers are blamed for anything that goes wrong in a child’s life and pushes mothers to make lifestyle choices

Question 2

There is mixed evidence for monotropy
- Schaffer and Emerson (1964)

Answer 2

• found that most babies attached to one person at first, but 27% of babies formed multiple
  attachments at the same time
• This contradicts Bowlby’s assertion that babies form one attachment to a primary caregiver

Question 3

here is support for the idea of an internal working model - Bailey et al (2007)

Answer 3

• studied 99 mothers - those with poor attachment to own parents were more likely to have one-year-olds poorly attached
• This supports Bowlby’s idea of an internal working model of attachment as it is being passed through families

Question 4

There is evidence to support the existence of social releasers - Brazelton et al (1975)

Answer 4

• instructed primary attachment figures to ignore their babies’ social releasers
• Babies initially showed some distress, but eventually some curled up and lay motionless
• Since they responded this way it supports Bowlby’s ideas about the significance of infant social behaviour in eliciting caregiving

Question 5

an alternative explanation is that the child’s temperament (the child’s genetically influenced personality) is important in the development of social behaviour
- Some babies are more anxious and some more sociable than others as a result of their genetic makeup
- Temperamental differences rather than quality of attachment can explain later social behaviour