influence of early stages of attachment on later relationships

Question 1

explain the internal working model?

Answer 1

• quality of a child’s relationship with primary caregiver is important and it will affect the nature of future relationships =template
• a child who experiences a loving relationship with reliable caregiver will assume this is how a relationship is meant to be. and will seek out a functional relationship.

Question 2

explain relationships in later childhood?

Answer 2

-securely attached children tend to form the best quality childhood friendships than those insecurely attached
-bullying behaviour can be predicted by attachment types
-questionnaire on 200 children 7-11, and securely attached children were unlikely to be involved in bullying
and resistent were likely to be bullies

Question 3

explain the procedure for relationships in adulthood with romantic partners?

Answer 3

• analysed 620 replies to ‘love quiz’ in newspaper

- assessing: most important relationships, general love experiences and attachment type

Question 4

explain the findings from relationships in adulthood with romantic partners?

Answer 4

• 56% =securely attached, most likely to have good long lasting relationships
• 25% insecure, jealous
• 19% resistant
• supports patterns of attachment are reflected in romantic relationships

Question 5

explain relationships in adulthood as a parent?

Answer 5

• internal working models affects child’s ability to parent themselves as they tend parenting on their own experiences
• attachment types tend to be passed down through the family

Question 6

evaluate study that explains relationships in adulthood as a parent?

Answer 6

STRENGTH

• Bailey et al assessed 99 mothers w/ 1 yr olds on quality of attachment with their own mothers using interview
• then baby’s attachment to mothers through observation
• mothers who reported poor attachment with own mothers were more likely to have the same with their kids

Question 7

evaluate evidence on continuity of attachment type being mixed for internal working model?

Answer 7

WEAKNESS

• internal working models predict continuity between security of infants attachment and later relationships
• HOWEVER..Zimmerman assessed attachment type and infants+adolescent attachment type to parents
• found little relationship btween quality attachment and infant and adolescent attachment
• problem as strong correlation would be predicted

Question 8

evaluate association not caustion

Answer 8

WEAKNESS

• implication is that attachment type causes attachment
• HOWEVER… a third environmental factor eg. parenting style may have direct effect on both attachment and ability to form relationships
• may influence attachment and quality of later relationships