Hazan and Shaver

Question 1

when did Hazan and Shaver carry out their research?

Answer 1

1987

Question 2

what was their aim?

Answer 2

To investigate the internal working. Hazan and Shaver wanted to find out if love in adulthood was directly related to the attachment type as a child.

Question 3

what was their procedure?

Answer 3

the researchers placed a love quiz in a local newspaper asking questions about:

1. current attachment experience
2. attachment history
3. the IWM was assessed by questions focusing on attitudes towards love.

they received 620 responses
205 men and 415 women

Question 4

what were their findings?

Answer 4

• the prevalence of the different types found was similar to that of infancy (56% classified as secure, 25% as avoidant and 19% are resistant)
• there was a positive correlation between attachment type and love experience.

Question 5

what was their conclusion?

Answer 5

there is a relationship between the concept of love (internal working model) and later attachment types. Securely attached adults tended to have a positive internal working model.

Question 6

what are the issues with the sample?

Answer 6

• GENDRE BIASED: underrepresentation of male participants
• LOW INTERNAL VALIDITY: Inaccurate
• QUALITATIVE DATA: difficult to analyse
• SELF REPORT TECHNIQUES: gives socially desirable answers.

Question 7

what are some challenging AO3 points for Hazan and Shaver’s study?

Answer 7

• correlating study- only looking at relationship rather than how one effects the other- cannot establish cause and effect
• relies on retrospective classification- asks adults to remember memories; recollection may be flawed.
• determinist research- do early experiences truly determine later relationships- research has demonstrated later happy relationships even in insecurely attached infants.