3.6 Bowlby's Theory of Monotropy

3.6 Bowlby's Theory of Monotropy

1. Look at whether attachments were in an innate biological process. An evolutionary adaptation to survive.

   • Monotropy is an emphasis on a child's attachment with a particular caregiver. Put forward two principles to clarify that a baby should spend a lot of time with the primarily attached caregiver.
     • Law of continuity: The more constant and predictable a child's care, the better the attachment.
     • Law of accumulated separation: The effects of every separation from the mother add up and the safest dose is a zero dose.

2. Social releasers

   • Babies are born with innate "social releasers" which allow them to get attention. Proves babies are hardwired to become attached.

3. Critical Period

   • Found that the critical period of attachment was around 6 months, which is a sensitive period where forming attachments is best.

4. Internal working model

   • A baby's first attachment would provide an outline for all future relationships.

5. Evaluation

   • Strengths:
     • Support for social releasers. Observed babies that triggered reactions from caregivers with actions. Babies became distressed when these were ignored.
     • Support for internal working model. Bailey et al assessed relationships of mothers and their children compared with the mothers' own attachments. Those who had poor attachments ended up having poor attachments with their children.
   • Weaknesses:
     • Concept of monotropy lacks validity. Found that significant minority of babies formed multiple attachments.