Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment

Theories A theory is a set of ideas of principles that explain a behaviour (i.e. attachment) Bowlby’s theory: we are born with an innate, biological drive to attach to a primary caregiver who gives us the most attention; attachment is based on sensitive caregiving Learning theory: we learn to attach to the person who feeds us; attachment is based on food

Key terms Evolutionary: attachment is a behaviour that has evolved to ensure survival (of the fittest) and is innate (present from birth) Monotropic: attachment is to one, main primary caregiver – the one who provides the most sensitive care (although there may be a hierarchy of other attachments)

Define key terms The name of Bowlby’s theory of attachment. A behaviour that is present from birth. The idea that infants have one primary attachment figure. A behaviour such as crying or smiling that elicits a caregiver response. A period of time during which an attachment should form. This acts as a template for all future relationships (gives us expectations of how people behave). The child can explore from this and have a safe place to return to. The idea that infants have an inborn readiness to attach to a caregiver.

Evaluation of Bowlby’s theory A strength of Bowlby’s theory is that it has research evidence suggests that attachment is innate and adaptive. For example, Lorenz found that goslings, when separated from their mother, imprinted and attached to the first object they saw. This shows that, as Bowlby stated, there is a biological readiness to develop a strong bond with a caregiver present from birth.

Task Arrange the sentences on the next slide in the correct order to make 4 evaluation paragraphs: the POINT is in your booklet, you need to find the EVIDENCE and the ELABORATION. Write these 3 paragraphs into your booklet.

Evaluating Bowlby’s evolutionary theory EVIDENCE ELABORATION ...results from research carried out on animals such as goslings (Lorenz) and monkeys (Harlow) may not be generalisable to humans. This research shows that children’s relationships with their fathers are important in their own right and depend on how involved he is in child-rearing, rejecting the idea of monotropy. ...Ross et al (1975) found a clear link between the number of nappies the father has changed and the strength of the child’s attachment to the father. This research demonstrates that Bowlby’s theory, particularly his idea regarding the continuity hypothesis, has high reliability. ...research by Hazan and Shaver (1987) found that adults’ romantic relationships in later life were influenced by early attachments with their parents. This suggests that attachment is innate and that a similar process has evolved in other species (such as humans) to enhance survival. ...baby goslings imprinted on the first object they saw at birth and became attached to it. This is because humans attachments may be more complex than animals as we develop in a social world and use language to communicate.

Possible exam questions: Outline the key features of the evolutionary theory of attachment. (6 marks) Outline research findings that challenge Bowlby’s theory of attachment. (4 marks) Outline and evaluate Bowlby’s explanation of attachment. (12 marks) Evaluate Bowlby’s theory of attachment. (3 marks)

Homework Make your own revision notes on the description and evaluation of Bowlby’s evolutionary theory of attachment.