A11. Influence of Early Attachment on Relationships

Question 1

Theory of Influence of Early Attachment

Answer 1

• suggests CONTINUITY (a connection) between experiences as a baby and your attachment type/quality; and relationships in adulthood.
• relationships: friendships, romantic, and family
• IWM forms alongside attachments (mental template)
• also found to determine personality types; such as parenting style (we raise our children similar to how we’re raised). IWM uses our parent’s parenting style as a template, which we pass on to our children (generational)
• IWM affects expectations and and attitudes regarding others (e.g. insecure-resistant = trust/commitment issues)
• may also result in an attachment disorder

Question 2

+ Eval: Bailey et al. (2007)

Answer 2

• majority of (99) women studied had same attachment classification as both their mothers and own babies
• supports CONTINUITY; IWM developed in response to first attachment, contains perception of ‘normal attachment’, which we them seek out

Question 3

+ Eval: Simpson et al

Answer 3

• Longitudinal Study; studied at: infancy, early childhood, adolescence, adulthood
• attachment types and romantic relationships assessed at different stages
• FOUND that securely attached children were more expressive and emotionally attached in later romantic relationships

Question 4

• Eval: Hard Determinism

Answer 4

• theory suggests that children who are insecurely attached are doomed for later relationships. Implies NO free-will, as well as a ‘Self-Fulfilling-Prophecy’