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
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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:
1. Outline the key features of the evolutionary
2.
3.
4.
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.