Bowlby's monotropic theory

What type of explanation did Bowlby develop?

Evolutionary

According to Bowlby, in what way do attachments have an evolutionary basis?

They are innate & are based upon survival

What is the name of Bowlby’s theory?

Monotropic theory

What are the five aspects that make up the monotropic theory?

• Evolutionary basis

• Monotropy

• Social releasers

• Critical period

• Internal working model

(AO1 paragraph bullet points)

What is meant by monotropy?

The child develops an attachment to one particular caregiver who is more important than others

According to Bowlby, who is the child most likely to form an attachment with?

The mother

How many laws did Bowlby propose regarding monotropy?

Two

What were the two laws that Bowlby proposed?

• The law of continuity: the more continuous the care, the better the attachment

• The law of accumulated separation: the effects of every separation from the mother add up

Bowlby suggested that children are born with what innate factors which activates the adult attachment system?

Social releasers

What are examples of social releasers?

Smiling, cooing & gripping

What is the critical period in humans?

2 - 2.5 years old

What is important during the critical period?

The attachment should be formed otherwise the child will find it much harder to form one later

What is meant by the internal working model?

A mental representation of their relationship with their primary caregiver which serves as a model for future relationships (e.g. friendships, romantic relationships & own parenting)

Outline and evaluate Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment (16 marks)

Write your AO1 paragraph

• Bowlby developed an evolutionary explanation of attachment, which proposed that attachments are innate & based upon survival. His monotropic theory sees the child developing an attachment to one particular caregiver (the mother) who is more important than others.

• Bowlby proposed two laws: the law of continuity (the more continuous the care, the better the attachment) & the law of accumulated separation (the effects of every separation from the mother add up).

• Bowlby suggested that children are born with innate social releasers which activate the adult attachment system (e.g. smiling, cooing & gripping). There is also a critical period (2-2.5 years) in which the attachment should be formed, otherwise the child will find it much harder to form one later.

• Finally, he proposed the idea of an internal working model, which is a mental representation of the child’s relationship with their primary caregiver & serves as a model for future relationships (e.g. friendships, romantic relationships & own parenting)

Outline and evaluate Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment (16 marks)

Write your strength AO3 PEEL (Lorenz & Harlow)

• Point: One strength of Bowlby’s monotropic theory is there is empirical evidence in support of a critical period from animal studies.

• Evidence: For example, Lorenz & Harlow found that greylag geese who didn’t imprint within a few hours & rhesus monkeys who didn’t form attachments within 90 days failed to form attachments later.

• Explain: Bowlby extended this to humans, proposing that if no attachment formed within the critical period (age 2-2.5 years), this could lead to affectionless psychopathy or developmental delays.

• Link: Overall, this supports the concept of a biologically determined timeframe & suggests attachment behaviours increase an infant’s chances of survival by keeping them close to the caregiver for protection & nourishment.

Outline and evaluate Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment (16 marks)

Write your strength AO3 PEEL (influenced policies)

• Point: One strength of Bowlby’s monotropic theory is that it can be praised for having real world applications on childcare practices.

• Evidence: For example, Bowlby’s work influenced policies (e.g. parental leave & hospital visiting rights) promoting consistent & sensitive caregiving in the early years. His research led to a shift away from institutional care & towards family-based interventions.

• Explain: Bowlby’s findings on the dangers of maternal deprivation helped inform the development of the key worker system in nurseries, ensuring each child forms an attachment with one adult.

• Link: Therefore, this suggests Bowlby’s theory can help to promote healthy attachments, supporting its practical value beyond theory.

Outline and evaluate Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment (16 marks)

Write your limitation AO3 PEEL (alpha bias)

• Point: One limitation of Bowlby’s monotropic theory is that it suffers from alpha bias.

• Evidence: For example, Schaffer & Emerson’s Scottish infant study found that by 18 months, infants had formed 5 attachments.

• Explain: Additionally, Verrisimo found that children with secure attachments to their fathers have better relationships with peers.

• Link: As such, Bowlby’s emphasis on the mother may reinforce traditional gender roles & ignore other attachment figures, especially in diverse, modern-day families.