Influence of early attachment Flashcards
What does a bad attachment result in in relationships
Bad experience brought to future relationships, struggle to form relationships and behave inappropriately in them
What is the impact of early attachment on childhood relationships (Myron - Wilson)
Secure - Best quality relationships, not involved in bullying
Avoidant - Most likely victims of bullying
Resistant - Most likely bullies
Who were Myron-Wilson’s p’s in his influence of early attachment on childhood relationships study
196 children, average age of 9
What did myron-wilson asses his p’s for in his influence of early attachment on childhood relationships study
Indications of bullying / victimhood, as well as the parenting style
What was Myron-Wilsons finding in his influence of early attachment on childhood relationships study
Those assessed as bullies = Low Parental warmth + high parental neglect
Victims = High parental punitiveness
This suggests parental attachment styles directly influence childhood relationships
What were Hazan and Shaver researching in their ‘love quiz’ study
The influence of early attachment on adult romantic relationships
What was Hazan and Shavers procedure
Assessed 620 of 1,200 replies to a ‘love quiz’ in an American newspaper.
The quiz asked questions about, current and most important relationship, general love experience and attachment type
What were Hazan and Shavers findings
56% of respondents were identified as securely attached, with 25% insecure–avoidant and 19% insecure–resistant.
Their attachment type was reflected in their romantic relationships.
Secure - Good and long lasting romantic relationships
Avoidant - Jealous and fear intimacy
What evidence is there for people basing their parenting style on their internal working model, meaning attachment type is passed on through generations
Heidi Bailey et al (2007). Investigated the attachments of 99 mothers to their babies and to their own mothers. Mother - baby attachment was assessed using the strange situation and attachment to their own mother was assessed with an adult attachment interview. Majority of mothers had same attachment with their baby as with their own mother.
Evaluate research into the influence of early attachment on later development based on research support (Strength)
One strength is,Many studies are showing a link between early attachment and later experiences.
A review by Fearon & Roisman (2017) concluded that early attachment influenced development in many ways. Insecure attachment is the most predictive of later mental disorders.
THEREFORE: Insecure attachment conveys a clear disadvantage for development.
Evaluate research into the influence of early attachment on later development based on not all evidence supporting the existence of close links between the two (weakness)
One weakness is, not all evidence supports the existence of close links between early attachment and later development.
For example, the Regensburg longitudinal study followed 43 individuals from one year of age. At age 16 attachment was assessed using the adult attachment interview and there was no evidence of continuity.
Therefore, it is not clear to what extent the quality of early attachment really predicts later development.
Evaluate research into the influence of early attachment on later development based on early attachment not directly affecting later development (weakness)
One weakness is, the influence of early attachment is seemingly probabilistic.
An insecure attachment does not invariably cause increased risk of later developmental problems - no one is inevitably going to have unsuccessful romantic relationships because of their early attachment experiences.
Therefore, we should take a more holistic view and recognise that early attachment may have some affect on later development, but there are also a host of other factors involved.
