Influence of early attachment on later relationships

Question 1

What is the Minnesota longitudinal study?

Answer 1

Started in 1976, it uses women pregnant with their first child. The children were assessed at regular intervals throughout their lives using a variety of research techniques

Question 2

What were the methodologies used in the Minnesota longitudinal study?

Answer 2

1. At 12-18 months old their attachment style was assessed using the strange situation
2. At 6-8 years old they were assessed by their teachers to assess their social competence
3. At age 20 and 21 they were assessed with their romantic partners to determine how well they responded to conflict in their relationships

Question 3

What were the findings of the Minnesota longitudinal study?

Answer 3

It was found that children who were securely attached as infants were rated as more socially competent by their teachers and had more secure friendships in school. This shows how early attachment style influenced their childhood relationships. Also, securely attached children coped better with conflict in their romantic relationships. This also demonstrates the influence of early attachments on adult relationships.

Question 4

What is the strength of this research?

Answer 4

Further research to support- Hazan and Shaver (1987)- ‘love quiz’- correlation between attachment types in infancy and attachment types in adult relationships- provides support that your attachment style provides a blueprint for relationships in later life so follows you throughout life

Question 5

What are the limitations of this research?

Answer 5

1. Findings have not always been consistent- Main et al (1985)- some parents of secure children show signs of being insecure-resistant in their own childhood- hey are to terms with their negative childhood experiences and were willing to talk openly about them- possible to break the cycle- the template does not always determine the same type of adult relationships- they raised their child differently to avoid the same experiences they had
2. Uses self-report techniques and retrospective studies- questionnaires/interviews- demand characteristics- unlikely to want to admit that there may be issues- social desirability bias- may not recall accurate detail- questions validity
3. Difficult to determine cause and effect- cannot be certain that its the direct cause- personality type may be the cause-Glynn (2019)- maladaptive traits such as neuroticism and self-esteem have an influence on quality of relationships- lowers the validity