bowlbys monotropy theory

Question 1

Monotropy Theory: Key Concept

Answer 1

Instead of focusing on the environment like behaviorists, Bowlby argued that attachment is biologically innate. The child is born with the ability to seek out and stay close to an attachment figure, which is vital for survival.

Question 2

Monotropic Feature: Adaptive Behavior

Answer 2

Children are born with biological abilities to seek attachment figures. This helps increase the chances of survival by meeting the child’s needs and protecting them from dangers. Example: the rooting reflex aids breastfeeding.

Question 3

Monotropic Feature: Social Releasers

Answer 3

Social releasers are behaviors or signals from infants that draw adults in, prompting caregiving. Example: A baby’s smile triggers an adult’s instinctive caregiving behavior.

Question 4

Monotropic Feature: Critical Period

Answer 4

A crucial time frame for forming attachments, usually up to 2.5 years, but most important between 3-6 months. If attachment does not occur, there may be lasting social, emotional, and intellectual consequences.

Question 5

Monotropic Feature: Monotropy

Answer 5

The child forms one primary attachment, usually with the mother, which is more important than any other relationships they may form.

Question 6

Monotropic Feature: Internal Working Model

Answer 6

This model suggests that a child’s relationship with their primary caregiver forms a template for all future relationships, including romantic relationships and parenthood.

Question 7

Supporting Evidence: Lorenz

Answer 7

Lorenz’s animal study showed that goslings imprinted on the first moving object they saw, supporting Bowlby’s idea of an adaptive biological mechanism for attachment. Imprinting occurred during a critical period (12-17 hours).

Question 8

Supporting Evidence: Harlow

Answer 8

Harlow’s research with monkeys demonstrated that without early attachment, social skills were impaired. This supports Bowlby’s concept of the internal working model, as monkeys without attachment lacked nurturing skills.

Question 9

Supporting Evidence: Hazan and Shaver

Answer 9

Hazan and Shaver found a positive correlation between early attachment type and later love experiences. Securely attached individuals had trusting, positive relationships, while insecurely attached individuals had fear of closeness and lack of trust.

Question 10

Challenges: Multiple Attachments (Schaffer and Emerson)

Answer 10

Schaffer and Emerson’s research challenged Bowlby’s idea of monotropy, proposing that children can form multiple significant attachments. Their study identified four stages of attachment, with a final stage for multiple attachments.

Question 11

Cultural Differences in Attachment

Answer 11

In cultures with communal child-rearing, such as the Kibbutz in Israel, multiple caregivers are typical. This challenges Bowlby’s emphasis on one primary attachment. Sagi et al. found that only infants in family-based sleeping arrangements had strong attachments to their mother.

Question 12

Monotropy and Cultural Variations (Tronick et al.)

Answer 12

Despite communal care in the Efe tribe, infants showed a primary attachment to their mother. This suggests that monotropy can occur even in cultures with different child-rearing practices.

Question 13

Social Sensitivity of Bowlby’s Theory

Answer 13

Bowlby’s theory places significant responsibility on mothers to form strong attachments with their children. This can lead to the mother being blamed for any developmental issues, neglecting the role of fathers in attachment formation.

Question 14

Critical Period vs Sensitive Period

Answer 14

Bowlby argued that attachment must occur by 6 months (critical period). However, Rutter’s research on Romanian orphans suggested that attachment can still form after this period, but it’s more difficult. Thus, it should be called a “sensitive period.”