Influence of Early Attachment on Later Relationships Flashcards
Internal Working Model (repeat)
Bowlby suggested that a child having their first relationship with their primary attachment figure forms a mental representation of this relationship. This acts as a template for future relationships.
Relationships in Later Childhood
Securely attached people have best quality childhood. Insecure avoidant were most likely to be bullied and insecure resistant were most likely to be bullies.
Relationships in Adulthood with Romantic Partners (McCarthy)
Studied 40 adult women who were assessed when they were infants to see attachment type. Securely attached had best romantic relationship and friendships.
Hazan & Shaver PROCEDURE
Analysed 620 replies to love quiz: 3 sections. First section assessed current or most important relationship. 2nd was general love experiences. 3rd was which out of the 3 attachment types descried their feelings.
Hazan & Shaver FINDINGS
56% secure, 25% avoidant.
Relationships in Adulthood as a Parent
People tend to base parenting style on internal working model.
Weakness (Zimmerman)
Evidence on continuity of attachment type is mixed. He assessed infant attachment type & adolescent attachment to parents. There was very little relationship between quality of infant and adolescent attachment. Problem as it is not what we would expect if internal working models were important.
Weakness
Most studies have issues with validity. When interviewed or love quiz, it lacks validity as it requires being honest and they dont know if the people were honest or not.
Weakness (Clarke & Clarke)
Influence of early attachment is probabilistic. Just because they had attachment problems doesnt mean they would have bad relationships. They just have greater risk of problems. By knowing about these problems, we become pessimistic about the future.
