influence of early attachment

Question 1

outline the role of the internal working model in the influence of early attachment

Answer 1

1) an infant learns about relationships from experience
2) the infant bases how a relationship should work and what a relationship is based from early years from the basis of their attachment with the primary caregiver
3) it can be used to predict the behaviour of individuals in the future

Question 2

outline the procedure of the study looking into the internal working model

Answer 2

• Hazan and Shaver
  1 ) paces a love quiz in the news asking questions about current attachment experiences and about attachment history to identify current and childhood attachment types

2) quiz also asked about attitudes towards love
3) they analysed 620 responses, 205 from men and 415 from women

Question 3

outline the findings of Hazan and shavers love quiz exploring the role in the internal working model

Answer 3

1) most attachment styles were similar to those found in infancy 56% were secure, 25% avoidant and 19% resistant
2) a positive correlation between attachment type and love experiences with secure individuals describing love experiences as happy with more enduring relationships around 10 years
3) found a relationship base don the internal working model and the pps conception of love with secure individuals having a more positive internal working model

Question 4

list the behaviours influenced by the internal working model

Answer 4

1) childhood friendships
2) poor parenting
3) romantic relationships
4) mental health

Question 5

outline the influence of the internal working model on childhood friendships

Answer 5

1) a study found that individuals who were classed as securely attached in infancy were highest rated for social competence later in life, they were less isolated and more popular
2) based on the IWM were the individuals has higher expectations that others are friendly and trusting enabling easier relationships

Question 6

outline the influence of the internal working model on parenting

Answer 6

1) poor attachment types lead to later difficulties with parenting
2) the lack of the IWM means individuals lack a reference point to form relationships with their own children

Question 7

outline the role of the internal working model in romantic relationships

Answer 7

study buy hazan and shaver showed individuals who are securely attached are more likely to be in longer lasting relationships

Question 8

outline the role of the internal working model on mental health

Answer 8

1) lack of attachment in the critical period during development would result in the lack of an internal working model

Question 9

evaluate the influence of early attachment

Answer 9

1) deterministic- research suggests that early experiences have a fixed effect later on in life and relationships. children who are insecurely attached are doomed for bad relationships as adults. However research found many cases where individuals experiences healthy relationships despite not being securely attached infants.
2) correlational research- link between IWM and later relationships is correlational rather than experimental, therefore we cant claim cause and effect it is possible that both attachment style and later love style is caused by something different. Cant claim the the IWM determines later relationships
3) retrospective- when adults asked questions about early lives in order to assess infant attachment recollection is likely to be flawed as memories arent always accurate. However longitudinal studies also support Hazan and Shavers findings where children who have higher social competence had closer friendships and 16 and more emotionally attached to partners.