Bowlby's monotropy theory

Question 1

why did Bowlby reject learning theory?

Answer 1

‘if it were true, an infant of a year of two should take readily to whomever feed him, and this is clearly not the case’

Question 2

Bowlby’s evolutionary explanation

Answer 2

attachment is an innate system
gives survival advantage
ensures young animals stay closer to caregiver- protects from hazards (e.g. predators then, traffic now)

Question 3

monotropy

Answer 3

monotropic- emphasises attachment to one particular caregiver
diff and more important than others

‘mother’ but doesn’t need to be biological mother

more time baby spends with PAF better

• law of continuity
• law of accumulated separation

Question 4

what does the law of continuity state?

Answer 4

the more constant and predictable a child’s care, the better quality of their attachment

Question 5

what does the law of accumulated separation state?

Answer 5

the effects of every separation from the mother add up

‘the safest dose is therefore a zero dose’

Question 6

social releasers

Answer 6

babies born with set of innate ‘cute’ behaviours (e.g. smiling)- encourage attention from adults
active adult attachment system

attachment a reciprocal process
both have innate predisposition to attach

Question 7

critical period

Answer 7

‘sensitive period’ of two years where infant attachment system active
if not formed hard to form one later

Question 8

internal working model

Answer 8

child forms mental representation of relationship with PCG

serves as model for what relationships like
affects future relationships
affects ability to parent themselves