Bowlby's monotropic theory of attachment Flashcards
What are some examples of social releasers?
‘Babyface’, Baby smiling/ crying
Monotropy
Idea that infant has one attachment with the primary attachment figure that is more significant than the rest.
Internal working model
The IWM is a mental model of the world which enables individuals to predict and control their environment.
In attachment:
SHORT TERM: allows child to understand and influence caregivers behaviour.
LONG TERM: acts as a template for expectations of future relationships
Why do attachments form according to Bowlby?
The infant forms attachments for survival, they need an adults protection to survive
Parents and baby must both be attached to eachother to ensure the baby is cared for and survives
How are attachments formed according to Bowlby?
During critical period of 3-6 months
Bowlby, inspired my Ainsworth, believed it was how sensitive and caring the mother was that formed a strong attachment
(NOT FOOD- contradictory to SLT)
Social releasers elicit care from others
Monotropic attachment forms- one primary attachment (often mother)
Lots of secondary attachments also form.
What are the consequences of forming attachments according to Bowlby?
Internal Working Model is formed
Short term- allows infant to understand and influence caregiver’s behaviour
Long term- acts as a template for all future relationships
Continuity hypothesis- secure attachment will lead to healthy relationships and emotional/ behavioural characteristics in the future
AO3 -
Sensitive period NOT ‘CRITICAL’
Rutter argues that although it is harder to form attachments outside this period, it is not impossible.
This is supported by the Romanian orphan study
Therefore, the period is ‘sensitive’ rather than ‘critical’
AO3 +
Attachment is adaptive
Bowlby’s idea that attachments develop after 3 months was criticised,
as 3 months old is very late to form a mechanism to protect the infant.
For example, monkeys cling on to their mothers from birth.
However, the reason human attachment takes place at 3 months is due to the fact that mothers are able to carry their babies.
At 6 months, babies begin to crawl and no longer want to be carried, hence why attachments are formed by then. (as this is when they need protecting)
AO3 +
Multiple attachments vs monotropy
Multiple attachment theory and Bowlby’s theory are more similar than they seem.
Multiple attachment theory says that all attachments are equal and in the same IWM together.
This is similar to Bowlby’s idea of secondary attachments, which all contribute to social development
Grossmann and Grossmann suggested that fathers play a large role in attachment and social development
