Bowlby's Theory

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Bowlby's Theory
- Monotropy
  - emphasis on attachment to one caregiver (mono)
  - the more time spent with the mother, the better
    - Bowlby called this person the mother however it doesn't have to be
  - his two principles:
    - the law of continuity
      - the more consistent and predictable a child's care, the better quality of their attachment
    - The law of accumulated separation
      - the effects of every separation from the mother add up- the safest dose is a zero dose
- made by John Bowlby
  - rejected learning theory
  - looked at work from Lorenz and Harlow
  - came up with an evolutionary theory
    - attachment is there for survival
      - animals stay close to avoid hazards
- Social Releasers
  - Babies are born with 'cute' behaviours like smile and other baby stuff
    - these get attention from adults
      - makes adults feel love towards the baby
        both mother and baby have a predisposition to become attached
  - there is a critical period for attachment around 2.5 years
- Internal Working model
  - a child forms a mental representation of their relationship with their primary caregiver
    - this serves as a model for what relationships are like
  - a child with a loving, reliable caregiver will make good relationships
    - the opposite occurs if they have a bad caregiver
    - this translates to how they raise children
Exam questions
- Outline Bowlby's theory of attachment (6 marks)
- explain what is meant by monotropic theory

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