L7 - bowlby’s monotropic theory

Question 1

why do attachments form

Answer 1

evolved instinct because it increase chances of babies’ survival and parent’s passing of genes
so it is adaptive
infants who are attached to caregiver will stay close to be protected and survive
caregivers who are attached will ensure they are well cared for so they survive and successfully have their genes passed on

Question 2

what 4 things did bowlby suggest aid the formation of an attachment

Answer 2

monotropy
social releases
critical period
internal working model

Question 3

what is monotropy

Answer 3

• infants form many attachments but one is more important (primary attachment figure)
• law of continuity: the more constant and predictable a child’s care, the better quality of the attachment
• law of accumulated separation: the effects of every separation from the mother add up so the safest dose is therefore a zero dose

Question 4

what are social releases

Answer 4

• babies born with innate cute behaviours
• mother and baby have an innate predisposition to become attached
• social releases trigger that response in caregivers
• attachment is reciprocal

Question 5

what is the critical period

Answer 5

• there is a limited window for development
• first 2 years of child’s life
• if an attachment is not formed in this window, it is difficult to form one later on

Question 6

what is the internal working model

Answer 6

• child forms mental representation of their relationship with their primary caregiver
• attachment becomes a template about what future relationships will be like and what to expect from others

Question 7

what is the continuity hypothesis

Answer 7

individuals who are securely attached in infancy continue to be socially and emotionally competent

Question 8

strengths of bowlby’s theory of attachment

Answer 8

• support for monotropy: tronick studied an african tribe where babies were breastfed by other women even though they slept with their mother at night, these babies still showed one primary attachment
• support for continuity hypothesis: minnesota longitudinal study followed pps from infancy to late adolescence, found continuation between early attachment and later emotional/social behaviour, those with secure attachment in infancy had highest social competence later in life

Question 9

weaknesses of bowlbys monotropic theory

Answer 9

• schaffer and emerson suggest that multiple attachments are more common in babies than monotropy, found that by 18 months only 13% of infants had only one person they were attached to
• tizard and hodges found that children who had never formed any attachments by 4 y/o and were adopted could still form attachments to their new adopted parents, going against idea of critical period