Bowlby's Monotropic Theory of Attachment

Question 1

Continuity Hypothesis

Answer 1

Emotionally secure infants go on to be emotionally secure, trusting and socially confident adults

Question 2

Internal Working Model

Answer 2

A mental model of the world that allows individuals to predict and control their environment (expectations of relationships)

Question 3

Monotropy

Answer 3

The one relationship that the infant has with their primary attachment figure is of special significance in emotional development

Question 4

Social Releaser

Answer 4

A social behaviour or characteristic that elicits caregiving and leads to attachment

Question 5

What did Bowlby propose attachment was determined by?

Answer 5

Sensitivity

Question 6

Who is often the monotropic figure?

Answer 6

The mother

Question 7

What does an infant early relationship with their monotropic figure determine?

Answer 7

Their internal working model, a template for all future relationships

Question 8

Support for continuity hypothesis

Answer 8

Sroufe et al (2005) followed children from infancy to late adolescence and found continuity between early attachment and later social and emotional behaviour

Question 9

Critical period negative

Answer 9

Sensitive period - Rutter et al, less likely to form after this period but not impossible