Monotropic Theory Flashcards
Who proposed monotropic theory?
John Bowlby.
Monotropic Theory
The idea of having just one, all-important caregiver-infant attachment. Says that attachment is innate.
What type of theory is monotropic theory?
An evolutionary theory, Bowlby said that forming attachments increases the chances of survival.
Which theory did Bowlby disagree with?
Learning theory.
What did Bowlby say is beneficial for an infant’s development?
More time with the primary attachment figure.
What are the two principles of monotropy?
Continuity hypothesis, and accumulated separation.
Continuity Hypothesis
The predictability and consistency of a child’s care matters. More of both means for better attachments.
Accumulated Separation
The time an infant spends apart from their primary caregiver adds up, and it is best for the infant to never be left by the caregiver.
Social Releasers
Behaviors elicited by the infant that encourage attention and trigger the adult attachment system.
What are examples of social releasers?
Smiling, crying, laughing etc.
What did Bowlby say about reciprocity?
Attachment is reciprocal.
Critical Period
The timeframe in which the infant attachment system should form an attachment with the primary caregiver.
How long did Bowlby suggest the critical period is?
Three years, and then later changed this idea to five years.
Primary Attachment Figure
The main person an infant will attach to.
Internal Working Model
A mental blueprint that an infant obtains during the attachment process that informs their future relationships.
What will poor infant attachment lead to in later life?
Poor future attachments, and a harsher parenting style.
What will good infant attachment lead to in later life?
Good future attachment and secure parenting style.
Strengths of the Monotropic Theory
- Infants actively use behaviours to elicit caregiving, supporting idea of social releasers.
- Supporting evidence from Brazleton et al. (1975), observed babies with caregivers, saw interactional synchrony. When caregivers stopped responding, babies became distressed, supports social releasers.
- Bailey et al. (2007) supports internal working model - interviewed 99 mothers about attachments to parents, and infants. Typically, the poorer the attachment with parents, the poorer the attachment with infants.
- Internal working model has good testability, as it’s generational.
Limitations of the Monotropic Theory
- Schaffer and Emerson (1964) contradicts the theory, as they showed that infants can form multiple attachments.
- Suess et al. (1992) found that attachment to mothers is only a predictor of later attachments with infants.
- Monotropic theory may seem to criticise working mothers, blaming them for any of their child’s issues - argued by feminist, Erica Burman (1994).
- Some argue that individual differences in temperament may be more important in attachment. For example, Kagan (1982) found that some infants and naturally more anxious or sociable.
