What are the key points of Bowlby's theory of Monotropy?

John Bowlby's theory of monotropy stems from the idea that infants form one special, significant attachment with their primary caregiver and if we fail to form thi attachment, then we will suffer in later life.

There is a simple way to remember the seven key features and this is through the acronym - MISS CEC.

Monotropy - the idea we form one single, significant attachment.

Internal Working Model - our attachments as children, affect our attachments in adult life

Survival - infants that have attachments, have a higher chance of surviving 

Social Releasers - Babies have features that elicit caregiving behaviour in adults

Continutiy Hypothesis - if we are insecurely attached infants, there is a higher chance that we are insecurely attached adults

Evolutionary - Forming attachments have an evolutionary basis

Critical Period - a biologically pre-determined period of time in which infants are maximally responsive to forming attachments