Influence of Early Attachment on Later Relationships

Question 1

What is the aim of Hazan and Shaver’s the “love quiz”?

Answer 1

To test the internal working model (the continuity hypothesis).

Question 2

What is the procedure of the “love quiz”?

Answer 2

• Researchers placed the quiz in the rocky mountain newspaper.
• Quiz asked questions about childhood attachment history and current attachment experiences. Also attitudes towards love.
• To identify current and childhood attachment types.
• Analysed 620 volunteer samples.

Question 3

What are the findings from this study?

Answer 3

• Found the prevalence of attachment styles was similar to that in infancy - 56% were secure, 25% were avoidant, 19% resistant.
• Found a positive correlation between attachment type and love experiences.
• Found a relationship between the conception of love and attachment type.
• Those who had secure attachments endured longer relationships of 10 years compared to 5

Question 4

What can we conclude from this study?

Answer 4

This study is a support for Bowlby’s continuity hypothesis as there is a positive correlation between early attachment style towards the infant and their IWM for future relationships.

Question 5

What did the Minnesota study by Sroufe find with regards to the influence on early attachment type on childhood relationships?

Answer 5

• Infants classified as securely attached were rated the highest for social competence in later childhood.
• They were less isolated and more popular.
• Suggests that their IWM was to trust others and have high expectations of relationships which made relationships easier.
• High rating of social competence suggests that they had high levels of self esteem.

Question 6

What is the internal working model?

Answer 6

It is a schema about relationships which the infant learns from their experience of how parents behave towards eachother. It is an operable model of self and partners based on their joint attachment history.
Model relates to a persons expectations about relationships.

Question 7

What are the 4 behaviours IWM can influence?

Answer 7

Poor parenting, childhood relationships, romantic relationships, mental health

Question 8

What is poor parenting?

Answer 8

Represented in harlows monkeys.
Lack of IWM means that individuals lack a reference point to subsequently form relationships with their own children.

Question 9

What is a criticism of this study in terms of establishing cause and effect?

Answer 9

Can’t establish cause and effect between early attachment type and later relationship.