influence of early attachment on later relationships Flashcards
what are the AO1 points/influences of early attachment on later relationships
- The internal working model - a schema for relationships - is affected by the relationship we have with our primary (monotropic) caregiver.
- According to Bowlby, if we are securely attached in this attachment, we will be securely attached in our relationships in adulthood- with friends, boyfriends/girlfriends etc.
- This is also referred to as the “continuity hypothesis”.
- There are three types of attachment brought about by different styles of parenting: Secure- loving mother,
Insecure Resistant- inconsistent mother, Insecure Avoidant- neglecting mother - Bowlby said that attachment had to form in the critical period (0-2) or it never would
what are the +ve AO3 for the influence of early attachment on later relationships
- Love Quiz - Hazan + Shaver
- Minnesota Longitudinal
- Simpson (2007)
- Bullying - Wilson + Smith
- Parenting - Bailey
expand on the +ve AO3 point: Love Quiz (IWM)(Mon
- Hazan and Shaver placed a “Love Quiz” in a local newspaper which sought information about respondent’s current and childhood attachment experiences.
- Those who had a negative IWM/resistant or avoidant attachment to primary attachment figure (monotropic attachment figure) were more likely to be divorced, and not to believe in love
- Those who had a positive IWM/secure attachment with were likely to be married and believe in ever-lasting love.
- Total support for the IWM and the effect of Monotropy.
expand on the +ve AO3 point: Minnesota Longitudinal Study (IWM)
- study commenced in 1985, recruiting 267 first time mums (and their new born babies). → The babies are now 32
- They have been studied, observed and assessed in infancy on a monthly basis
- every 6-12 months in childhood,
- in their twenties every 2-4 years.
- Babies who had a positive IWM/secure attachment and a good relationship with the monotropic attachment figure were more popular, content, and confident in childhood.
- Research is now focusing on how the IWM is affecting their adult relationships at 32, and their experiences of parenthood.
expand on the +ve AO3 point: Simpson
- Longitudinal study of 78 participants at four different stages of their lives:
- Age 1, rated by parents on attachment behaviour
- 6-8, rated by teachers on interaction with peers
- 16, self report on own relationships
- Young adults, report by partner about relationship
Findings: - Participants who were securely attached as infants were more popular as children and adolescents and had closer friendships
- They were also judged to be more emotionally intelligent and expressive by their partner.
expand on the +ve AO3 point: bullying
- A01- Research has also shown that early attachment type can be a predictor of bullying behaviour during childhood.
- A03- Wilson and Smith (1998) gave questionnaires to 196 7-11 yr olds in London and found:
- Secure children were very unlikely to be involved in bullying or to be bullied
- Resistant children were more likely to be the bullies
- Avoidant children were more likely to be the victims
expand on the +ve AO3 point: parenting
- A01- Psychologists have discovered that early attachment type affects an individual’s parenting style in the future.
- A03- Bailey (2007) investigated the attachments of 99 women to their mothers (interviews) and their own babies (observation in the strange situation)
- and found strong evidence that the majority had the same attachment style.
what is the -ve AO3 point for the influence of early attachment on later relationships + expand it
Against Bowlby:
- Some psychologists disagree with Bowlby’s ideas.
- They believe that attachment is not stable and that your current relationship can determine your attachment type.
- This is why some people who are insecurely attached as infants can have very secure happy marriages- they meet the ‘right’ person- and live happily ever after!
- This would mean that Bowlby’s theory is not as deterministic as he thought.
