Bowlbys Theory Of Monotrophy

Question 1

What are the theories of why and how attachments form?

Answer 1

• A = Adaptive, attachments are adaptive and are to ensure the child is fed, kept warm and is safe which is necessary for survival
• S = social releasers, babies have innate, cute behaviours such as smiling and grabbing to initiate social interactions for attachments to develop
  -M = monotrophy, attachments are specifically to one caregiver and is intense. This is normally the mother
• C = critical period, the maximum sensitivity for infants is around 6 months and lasts until 2.5/3 years. If an attachment is not formed in this time, they are emotionally stunted
• I = internal working model, the quality of attachment to caregivers determines the successfulness in relationships in the future

Question 2

What is the strength

Answer 2

• evidence for social releasers - Brazelton found that when adults ignored their babies social releasers they became very distressed. This shows the importance of social releasers for emotional development

Question 3

What are the strengths

Answer 3

• Internal working model = Bailey et al and 99 mothers and their year old babies. They assessed the mothers attachments with their mothers and found the mothers with the best relationships with their mothers had better quality attachments to their babies

Question 4

What are the limitations

Answer 4

• Monotropy is challenged by Schaffer and Emerson as an important stage in attachment is multiple attachments