Internal Working Model Adult Relations Flashcards
Internal working model
Mental representation of early attachment relationship with their primary caregiver.
Model for what relationships are like and future relationships will mirror.
If child is raised
- By a loving caregiver who respond to needs. Secure attachment. Postive/successful later relationship.
- Caregiver who is unresponsive to their needs. Insecure attachment. Problems forming relationships. Arguing more or too controlling
Influence on adult relationships
Hazen and Shaver
Created questionaire (Love quiz) to study a person’s adult attachment in early attachment.
56% - Securely attached. Long lasting romantic relationships. Trust partners.
25% - Insecure avoidant. Jealousy and feared intimacy.
19% - Insecure resistant. Fear being abandoned and put too much pressure on partner.
P: RTS Harlow
E: Separated monkeys from their mothers at birth and raised them in cages.
E: Monkeys when older found it very difficult to form relationship. Difficult mating. Females were inadequate mothers.
L: Supports it shows negative attachment lead to negative relationship with partners and own children.
P- Weakness Deterministic
E- behaviour is controlled by early life. Having early negative attachment will develop having negative attachment with own child.
E- neglects free will and choice the individual has. They may choose to have a more postive and secure attachment with their child.
L- Limiting research into the influence of early attachment on later relationships.
P-Weakness retrospective data
E- PPTS often have to think back to their early attachment.
E- Weakness because it relies on individuals accurately recalling their early attachment and memory has been found to be inaccurate.
L- Lowers the internal validity
Influence on own children
People base their parenting style on their internal working model so attachment tend to through generations.
Bailey et al 2007 - mothers tend to have same attachment style as their mothers
