Discuss the influence of early attachment on childhood relationships Flashcards
1
Q
Discuss the role of the internal working model
A
- a mental model of the world which enables an individual to predict or control their environment. In the case of attachment the model relates to an individual’s experience about relationships.
2
Q
Discuss Hazan and Shaver’s 1987 ‘Love Quiz’ study
A
- Hazan and Shaver placed a ‘love quiz’ in the Rocky mountain news
- the quiz asked about current attachment experiences and asked about attachment history to identify current and childhood attachment types
- The questionnaire also asked questions about attitudes towards love, an assessment of the internal working model
- they analysed 620 responses, 205 from men and 415 from women
3
Q
Discuss the findings of the ‘love quiz’
A
- they found that the prevalence of attachment styles were similar to that found in infancy - 56% were classified as secure, 25% as avoidant and 19% resistant
- they found a positive correlation between attachment type and love experiences
- ## securely attached adults described their love as happy, friendly and trusting and emphasised being able to accept their partner despite faults with 10 years on average compare to five to six years for resistant and avoidant participants
4
Q
Discuss one behaviour associated with the internal working model
A
childhood friendships
- Minnesota parent child study found continuity in early attachment and later social/emotional behaviour
- this can be explained in terms of the internal working model because securely attached infants have higher expectations that others are friendly and trusting and this would enable easier relationships with others
5
Q
Discuss another behaviour associated with the internal working model
A
- Poor parenting (Quinton et al) (Harlow’s research)
- Romantic relationships (Hazan and Shaver)
- mental health - a lack of a critical period would result in a lack of an internal working model
