Influence of Early Attachment on Later Relationships

Question 1

How does the internal working explain the effects?

Answer 1

• Mental representations based on an infants primary attachment affects later relationships (Bowlby)

Question 2

How does attachment effect relationships in early childhood?

Answer 2

• Securely attached babies form the best quality friendships
• Securely attached babies were less likely to be involved with bullying (Kerns)

Question 3

How does attachment effect adult relationships?

Answer 3

• Securely attached adults form better friendships and have better romantic relationships and form secure attachments to their own children
• Mcarthy studied 40 women assessed as children
• Insecure-resistant had a hard time with friendships
• Insecure - avoidant had a hard time with romantic relationships and intimacy

Question 4

How is the lack of longitudinal studies a limitation of the theories?

Answer 4

• Retrospective studies so relies on the ability of the pps to recall early childhood memories which they be dishonest about or remeber incorrectly also social desirability bias may be an issue

Question 5

Are there other factors influencing later development?

Answer 5

• Could be genetically determined factors that impact relationships or other things such as parent style, so we can never be sure it is early attachment and not alternative factors that are influencing later development

Question 6

What research supports this theory?

Answer 6

• Bowlby’s theory of the internal working model and Kern’s research on the affects of attachment type on childhood support this theory increasing it’s validity