Bowlby's Monotropic theory

Bowlby's Monotropic theory

1. MONOTROPY

   • One particular caregiver is different and more important than others
   • Law of continuity - the more constant care given, the stronger the attachment
   • The law of accumulated separation - effects of every separation adds up

2. SOCIAL RELEASERS AND CRITICAL PERIOD

   • Social releasers: Bowlby said 'babies are born with innate 'cute' behaviours'
     • Smiling
     • Gripping
     • Purpose: to activate adult attachment - to make them love the baby
   • Critical period = two years
     • Known as sensitive period as we can form attachments later than this but they won't be as easy to form

3. INTERNAL WORKING MODEL

   • Mental representations of the primary attachment relationship make template for future relationships

4. EVALUATION

   • SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL RELEASERS
     • Brazleton et al
       • When social releasers were ignored, babies became upet
         • Supports Bowlby's ideas about significance of infant social behaviour in eliciting caregiving
   • SUPPORT FOR INTERNAL WORKING MODEL
     • Bailey et al
       • Quality of attachment is passed on through generations in families
   • TEMPERAMENT MAY BE AS IMPORTANT AS ATTACHMENT
     • May explain why some babies have higher anxiety to others
     • Credible alternative explanation to Bowlby's attachment theory
     • Temperament - child's genetically influenced personality
     • Overemphasize importance of child's early experience
   • MIXED EVIDENCE FOR MONTROPY
     • Some babies form multiple attachments without a primary attachment
     • Suess et al
       • Other attachments may contribute as much as the primary attachment