Influence of early attachment on relationships - including Internal Working Model

Question 1

What is an Internal working model.

Answer 1

A mental model of the world which enables individuals to predict and control their environment. The model relates to a person’s expectations about relationships.

Question 2

The Role of the Internal Working Model

Answer 2

The quality of the child’s first attachment is crucial as this template will affect the nature of their future relationships.

Loving first relationship w/ reliable caregiver will lead to them seeking functional relationships. Opposite for a bad experience of first attachment.

Question 3

Hazan and Shaver - aims and procedure

Answer 3

Aim: test the internal working model

Procedure: Analysed 620 replieds to a ‘love quiz’ printed in an American local newspaper. The quiz assessed :
- current attachment experiences and attachment history to determine childhood attachment type.
- Questions about attitudes towards love to assess IWM.

Question 4

Hazan and Shaver - findings

Answer 4

• 56% of respondents were identified as securely attached.
• 25% insecure avoidant
• 19% Insecure-resistant
• Secure = more likely to have good and longer-lasting romantic experiences.
• Avoidant = revealed jealousy and fear of intimacy
• Same groups as Ainsworth - concurrent validity

Question 5

Relationships in adulthood

Answer 5

• Internal working models also affect the child’s ability to parent their own child.
• We tend to base our parenting style on our internal working model
• Bailey et al - 99 mothers. Assessed using strange situation. Majority of women had the same attachment classification both to their own babies and their own mothers.

Question 6

Relationships in childhood

Answer 6

• Minnesota child-parent study found continuity between early attachment and later emotional/social behaviour.
• Individuals who were classified as securely attached in infancy were the highest rated for social competence later in childhood, were less isolated and more popular, and more empathetic.
• This can be because securely attached infants have higher expectations that others are friendly and trusting, and this would enable easier relationships with others.

Question 7

Influence of early attachment on relationships - Evaluation: Research support

Question 8

Influence of early attachment on relationships - Evaluation: Validity of retrospective studies

Question 9

Influence of early attachment on relationships - Evaluation: Determinism