Bowlby's theory of Monotropy

Question 1

Monotropic theory

Answer 1

• The term is used to describe Bowlby’s theory as he emphasises a child’s attachment to a specific person usually the caregiver and this bond is more significant then any other attachment formed by the infant

Question 2

The Law of continuity

Answer 2

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

Question 3

The law of Accumulated Separation

Answer 3

the effects of every separation from the mother add up and therefore no separation is best

Question 4

Social Releasers

Answer 4

babies are born with a set of innate behaviours like smiling, cooing and gripping that encourages attention from adults and called them social releasers as their purpose was to activate the adult attachment system

Question 5

How is attachment a reciprocal process ?

Answer 5

both mother and baby having an innate predisposition to become attached and social releasers trigger that response in caregivers

Question 6

Critical Period

Answer 6

the time within which an attachment needs to be formed or no attachment will develop

Question 7

When is the critical period according to Bowlby?

Answer 7

is around 2 years when the infant attachment system is active

Question 8

When is the sensitive period?

Answer 8

around 2 years when the infant attachment system is active

Question 9

Why is it a Sensitive period?

Answer 9

as if an attachment is not formed in the first 2 years, it will be much more difficult for the infant to do it later

Question 10

Internal Working Model

Answer 10

forms a mental representation of their relationship with their primary caregiver and it serves as a model for what relationships are like and has a significant effect on the nature of the child’s future relationships

Question 11

What is the affect if a child’s first experience with their primary attachment figure is good?

Answer 11

A child’s first experience of a loving relationship with a reliable caregiver will tend to form an expectation that all relationships are as loving and reliable and will bring those qualities to future relationships

Question 12

What is the affect if a child’s first experience with their primary attachment figure is bad?

Answer 12

A child whose first relationship involves poor treatment will tend to form further poor relationships in the future as they expect treatment from others in the same way

Question 13

What else does the internal working model affect?

Answer 13

child’s ability to be a parent themselves as they base it on their own experience

Question 14

What is a limitation of Bowlby?

Answer 14

there is mixed evidence for monotropy

Question 15

What have some psychologists found that contradicts Bowlby?

Answer 15

• infants have formed multiple attachments at the same time

Question 16

Why have feminists criticise rh Bowlby’s idea of monotropy?

Answer 16

the idea of monotropy has implications for the lifestyle choice their children make when they are young, for instance the law of accumulated separation states that having substantial time apart from a primary attachment may lead to the infant developing poor relations. As a result this may lead to the mother not returning to work and placing a burden upon them for anything that goes wrong for the children. [socially sensitive idea]

Question 17

What Is a strength of bowlby’s theory

Answer 17

• support for internal working model Hazan and Shaver