Monotropy

Monotropy is the concept that infants have an innate and inborn capacity to attach primarily to a single caregiver or attachment figure. This concept was proposed by John Bowlby and is a component of attachment theory. Monotropy is a conceptual attachment formed by a close and important bond with a single primary caregiver. Bowlby proposed that if this monotropic bond did not occur then negative consequences could occur. Monotropy is part of the maternal deprivation hypothesis.