Explanations Of Attachment - Bowlbys Monotropic Theory

Question 1

What are two explanations of attachment?

Answer 1

Learning theory
Bowlbys Monotropic Theory

Question 2

What is the intro to B.M.T?

Answer 2

There are diff elements to bowlbys evolutionary theory of att, these are adaptive, social releasers, critical period, monotropy and internal working model

Question 3

Describe the adaptive, social releasers and monotropy element of B.M.T

Answer 3

• bowlby suggests att is adaptive, this is bc att is innate + inherited to improve survival. he also suggests parents and infants are born programmed to attach
• bowlby states infants are born with social releasers such as smiling, crying and looking cute, this triggers a response in a c.g. which ensures interaction bw infant and c.g. therefore forming an att
• bowlby suggested there is a biological period for an infant to form an att, this is called a critical period. if an att does not take place during the development period of the first 2.5 years of life, an attachment may not take place at all

Question 4

Describe the monotropic element of B.M.T

Answer 4

• bowlbys theory is described as monotropic as he stated a child attaches to one c.g and this is the most important att in a childs development
• bowlby called this person the mother but it didnt necessarily have to be the biological mother
• the more time a child spends with the monotropy the better
• the law of continuity says quality of childs att will be better if they receive concistent care
• the law of accumulated seperation says a substantial time apart from the monotropy risks a poor quality att

Question 5

Describe the internal working model in B.M.T

Answer 5

• bowlby says iwm is a mental representation a child forms of att rs with primary c.g. in childhood
• acts as model/template for what future rs will be like and will mirror them
• therefore impacts childs future rs with peers, romantic partners and children
• as ppl base parenting on their own experiences of being parented
• iwm passed onto one gen to the next

Question 6

Give an example of a positive and negative i.m.t

Answer 6

Loving rs with responsive c.g. - secure att, child feels secure - pos i.m.t - loving future rs
Poor rs with unresponsive c.g. - insecure att, child feels unworthy - neg i.m.t - poor future rs

Question 7

What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate bowlbys monotropic theory?

Answer 7

RTS critical period by lorenz
RTS internal working model by hazan and shaver
RTC monotropy by Schaffer and Emerson