Influence Of Early Attachment On Later Relationships - Evaluation

Question 1

What are the strengths of later attachments research?

Answer 1

Lots of supporting evidence

Fearon and Roisman’s review suggests early attachment consistently predicts later attachment, emotional well-being and attachment to own children
- securely attached children are at an advantage compared to all other attachments

Question 2

What’s a limitation of later attachments regarding evidence?

Answer 2

Not all evidence supports the link between attachment and later development

Becker-Stoll et al conducted a longitudinal study followed 43 people from 1 year old and assessed them at 16 yrs
- no link between attachment and development
- may be other important factors

Question 3

What’s another limitation of later relationships regarding assessment?

Answer 3

Most attachment types assessed retrospectively

Ask adolescents or adults about their relationshop from infancy
- relies on honesty and accuracy
- might base their early attachment on their current attachment with parents
- may be confounded by other factors
- most arent longitudinal

Question 4

What’s another limitation of later attachments regarding variables?

Answer 4

Existence of confounding variables

Parenting style may influence attachment and later development
- genetically influenced personality may play a role
- being insecure-resistant doesnt mean you will definitely have relationship problems later in life