Research on monotropy and multiple attachments

Research on monotropy and multiple attachments

1. BOWLBY (1969)

   • Infants need one special attachment relationship in order to develop a (positive) internal working model, which is the basis for all other relationships
   • The internal working model is an organismal schema that is concerned with the relationship between oneself and one's primary caregiver
   • Without having one primary sensitive caregiver, an infant would be unable to form an internal working model which would have a negative effect on their future relationships

2. In some cultures, children have multiple attachments with many caregivers and still develop into psychologically healthy adults

   • THOMAS (1998)
     • May be more desirable to have network of attachments to accommodate for various social and emotional needs of a growing infant
     • In some cultures, multiple attachments are the norm
   • PARKE (1981)
     • Even in Western European cultures, infants form several attachments which are all beneficial due to their qualitative differences
       • Father's style of play is often physically stimulating, whereas mothers more likely to soothe infants and read them stories

3. SCHAFFER and EMERSON (1964)

   • Even though infants form multiple attachments, they usually have one primary attachment

4. TRONICK ET AL. (1992)

   • Studied the Efe tribe who live in extended family groups
   • Infants are looked after and breastfed by different women (whoever is available), but sleep with their own mother
   • By the age of 12 months, infants still showed a preference for their mothers
     • Infant still has single primary attachment with mother

5. FOX (1977)

   • Studied children who spend most of their time with nurses, but see their mothers for a few hours each day after work
   • When in the Strange Situation, children were equally upset and distressed at absence of mother or nurse
     • However, children were more comforted by mother's reunion
       • Suggests that despite having multiple carers, infants still had one special attachment
   • The nurses changed frequently and divided their attention among many children
     • Children were less attached to nurse