attachment - influence of early attachment on adult relationships including internal working model

Question 1

internal working model - AO1

Answer 1

• IWM = mental representation of relationship with primary caregiver
• acts as a model/template of what future relationships will be like
• responsive/loving caregiver = secure attachment
• positive internal working model
• successful future relationships
• unresponsive caregiver = insecure attachment
• negative internal working model
• difficulty forming relationships
• e.g. arguing/being too controlling
• mental representation influences nature of all future childhood and adult relationships
• and relationships with own children
• passed through generations

Question 2

influence of internal working model on childhood relationships - AO1

Answer 2

• secure attachment with primary caregiver = better quality relationships with peers
• insecure attachment with primary caregivers = difficulties making friends
• smith et al 1998
• found insecure-avoidant children = victims of bullying
• insecure-resistant children = bullies

Question 3

influence of internal working model on romantic relationships - AO1

Answer 3

• hazen and shaver = love quiz questionnaire
• found that 56% = secure attachment
• positive IWM
• longer lasting romantic relationships
• partners could be trusted
• found that 25% = insecure-avoidant
• feared intimacy
• feelings of jealousy
• found that 19% = insecure-resistant
• fear abandonment
• too much pressure on partner
• patterns of attachment behaviour reflected in adult romantic relationships

Question 4

influence of internal working model on relationships with own children - AO1

Answer 4

• people base parenting style on their own IWM
• attachment passed through family generations
• Bailey et al (2007) found mothers tend to have same attachment type with their own child that they did with their own mother

Question 5

research to support - AO3
Harlows monkeys

DISCUSSION

Answer 5

P - research to support
- comes from Harlow

E - Harlow separated monkeys at birth from own mothers
- no early attachments

E - difficulty forming relationships in later life
- e.g. females = inadequate mothers, difficulty mating

L - support influence of internal working model on future relationships
- negative early attachments = negative relationships in later life

DISCUSSION
- limited research to support
- carried out on monkeys
- humans more emotionally complex

Question 6

criticism - AO3
deterministic

Answer 6

P - can be criticised for being deterministic

E - suggests early negative attachment = negative future relationships

E - neglects role of free will
- people may choose to have different relationship with child from what they had

L - limits influence of early attachments on later relationships

Question 7

weakness - AO3
retrospective data

Answer 7

P - weakness
- based on retrospective data

E - ppts required to think back to early attachment types

E - relies on memory of individuals to recall early attachments
- found to be inaccurate

L - weakens internal validity