Attachment - The role of the internal working model

Question 1

What is the internal working model of attachment?

Answer 1

It is an attachment schema: the first attachment an infant forms provides a schematic template upon which future relationships will be based on.

Question 2

When is the IWM created?

Answer 2

When the first monotropic attachment is formed. (it changes and develops over time when new relationships are formed.

Question 3

What 3 scenarios can IWM give?

Answer 3

1) secure attachment
2) insecure avoidant
3) insecure resistant

Question 4

What does the continuity hypothesis suggest?

Answer 4

It suggests that future relationships e.g childhood friendships, adult partners and even their own parenting relationship with their children will be shaped by this template.

Question 5

What did Hazan and Shaver suggest?

Answer 5

Suggested adult relationships types are a continuation of Ainsworth’s infant attachment types.

Children with a secure attachment type will go on to be more socially capable in childhood relationships.

Question 6

What are Bowlby’s four main principles of attachment?

Answer 6

• Attachment has an evolutionary basis
• Humans create one main attachment
• We develop an IWM of attachment during infancy
• There is a critical period of attachment

Question 7

WHy is it called a ‘working model’?

Answer 7

It is not solidified during the time in which the infant forms their first monotropic attachment.