Monotropy is a term used in attachment theory to describe the notion that infants form a singular primary attachment to one caregiver, usually the mother. This theory suggests that this primary attachment is more crucial and influential than any other caregiver-child relationships formed.

What is monotropy?

Anonymous

∙ 17y ago

Updated: 5/1/2024

Monotropy is the suggestion that children are genetically programmed to form attatchments to a single care giver and that it is important for healthy emotional development

Wiki User

∙ 17y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Psychology

What are some criticisms of Bowlby's theory of attachment?

Here are some criticisms of Bowlby's theory of attachment.-Bowlby believed in monotropy but his critics say that children can develop multiple attachments. There is a lot of evidence particularly in this day and age that children can have a number of attachment figures. As well as attaching to mothers, children can bond with fathers, grandparents and paid carries e.g. nannies, babysitters or childminder's.-Bowlby believed that there was a critical period for forming attachments but his critics say it's too extreme. More recent research suggests that their maybe a sensitive period for attachment for attachment rather than a critical period. This means that the first 3 years may be the test time to form an attachment but it's not the only time, In other words, there is evidence that children can form healthy attachments with others after age of 3 e.g. with adoptive parents.Bowlby Believed that the effects of deprivation were irreversible but his critics say that they can be reversed. For example, their is a famous case of two Czech twins who spent early years of their live locked in a cellars after their mother had died. They were cruelly treated by their father and stepmother to the point of suffering deprivation. However when they were taken into care. they gradually got over the abuse and neglect. They formed strong bonds with the family that fostered them and both twins went onto have successful marriages.-In Bowlby's theory it states that attachment is a primary instinctive, whereas others believed that attachment is learnt behaviour. In other words, babies don't form natural bonds with a primary caregiver but instead, learnt to bond with them. This is explained by the behaviourist theory of attachment.

What are some criticisms of Bowlby's theory of attachment?

Here are some criticisms of Bowlby's theory of attachment.-Bowlby believed in monotropy but his critics say that children can develop multiple attachments. There is a lot of evidence particularly in this day and age that children can have a number of attachment figures. As well as attaching to mothers, children can bond with fathers, grandparents and paid carries e.g. nannies, babysitters or childminder's.-Bowlby believed that there was a critical period for forming attachments but his critics say it's too extreme. More recent research suggests that their maybe a sensitive period for attachment for attachment rather than a critical period. This means that the first 3 years may be the test time to form an attachment but it's not the only time, In other words, there is evidence that children can form healthy attachments with others after age of 3 e.g. with adoptive parents.Bowlby Believed that the effects of deprivation were irreversible but his critics say that they can be reversed. For example, their is a famous case of two Czech twins who spent early years of their live locked in a cellars after their mother had died. They were cruelly treated by their father and stepmother to the point of suffering deprivation. However when they were taken into care. they gradually got over the abuse and neglect. They formed strong bonds with the family that fostered them and both twins went onto have successful marriages.-In Bowlby's theory it states that attachment is a primary instinctive, whereas others believed that attachment is learnt behaviour. In other words, babies don't form natural bonds with a primary caregiver but instead, learnt to bond with them. This is explained by the behaviourist theory of attachment.

What is monotropy?

What else can I help you with?

What are some criticisms of Bowlby's theory of attachment?

What are some criticisms of Bowlby's theory of attachment?

Resources

Top Categories

Product

Company